INT.

NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK (LOBBY) - NIGHT Let It Snow plays in the background as we fade in to reveal a CHRISTMAS PARTY in full swing. Middle-aged bankers with wives in tow fill the room, sipping colorful martinis. Children dart between guests. A SNAPPILY-DRESSED WAITER enters the frame carrying a tray of extravagant cocktail wieners. Everything about the scene, from the BULL-SHAPED ICE SCULPTURE to the SPARKLING WHITE BALLOONS screams trying too hard. We follow the Waiter as he weaves through the crowd. In the corner, a quartet of FOUR SKINNY SANTAS plays Let It Snow. The singer is terrible. The Waiter continues to push his way through the crowd, serving guests. Tray now empty, he walks towards a swinging door at the edge of the lobby. The Waiter reaches the door and swings it open, revealing a long, welllit hallway. The voice of the catering manager CURSING AND SCREAMING can be heard from the end of the hallway. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK HALLWAY- CONTINUOUS The Waiter walks down the hallway whistling. Two strong arms suddenly GRAB THE WAITER and PULL HIM INTO A CLOSET. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK- CLOSET Another hand covers the waiters face with a DAMP CLOTH. WAITER What the...MMMMMRRRMMMMMM!!! We pull back to reveal two of our protagonists. BRYCE JONES, late 20s, holds the Waiters hands behind his back with ease. Bryce is tall and lanky- there is no reason he should be so strong. He looks giddy. MICHAEL TOWNSEND, also late 20s, presses the damp cloth against the Waiters face, covering his mouth and nose. Michael has classic good looks: dark-haired and lean, with the tip of a tattoo sticking out from the edge of his rolled-up sleeves. Both men are wearing ALL BLACK. The Waiter struggles violently. MICHAEL (confused) Why the hell is this taking so long? I saw you empty half a bottle of chloroform onto this thing. BRYCE I did. Wait...chloroform? Thats not what its called...

2.

MICHAEL (struggling with the waiter) Uhh yeah, Bryce, it is. What do you think the spies in all your movies use to knock out those guards? BRYCE Oh... Bryce loosens his grip on the waiter. BRYCE (CONTD) Mike, I think I screwed up. The waiter coughs and sneezes violently. Bryces grip loosens even more. MICHAEL What are you talking about? We do not have time for this tonight! Bryce releases the waiter, who falls to the floor, wheezing and gasping for breath. Bryce reaches into a BLACK DUFFEL BAG resting on the floor and pulls out a small plastic bottle. BRYCE (reading the label) Liquid chlorine...get your pool ready for fun in the sun. MICHAEL Oh, youve got to be kidding me. Michael quickly grabs the duffel bag and removes a SMALL BLACK SIX-SHOOTER REVOLVER. He points the revolver at the waiter and pulls the trigger. A small hiss emits and an enormous dart covered in RAINBOW-COLORED FEATHERS lodges itself in the waiters back. The waiter reaches for the dart, but collapses on the floor before he is able to grab it. BRYCE Sorry, Mike. I read the Chlor and thought it must be the right stuff. MICHAEL (incredulous) Where exactly did you buy this? Michael removes the dart from the waiters back, pockets it, and begins to remove the waiters snappy outfit.

3.

BRYCE (mumbling) Wal-Mart. MICHAEL Well, for future reference, lets not trust family-friendly retail stores with our criminal purchases. Michael slips the waiters suit over his current shirt, checking his appearance in the reflection of the metal door. Michael removes a BLUETOOTH device from his pocket and fixes it to his ear. MICHAEL (CONTD) Ian, how are we doing with cameras and alarms? EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK ROOF- SAME Close-up of a circuit board. Several wires are cut and spark violently. IAN (O.C.) Cameras cut and alarms annulled. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK (CLOSET) MICHAEL Really with the alliterations? Never mind, just be ready to cut power on my mark. EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK (ROOF) IAN (distracted) Will do, chief. Ian has pulled out a PSP and is now KILLING ZOMBIES quite skillfully. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK (CLOSET) Bryce pulls a Santa suit out of a SECOND DUFFEL BAG and begins squeezing into it. The pants are an inch above his ankles.

4.

MICHAEL (on the walkie-talkie) Jess, you ready to woo the masses? INT. NEWHAVEN NATIONAL BANK (LOBBY)- SAME A gorgeous brunette with a girl-next-door look sips a purple martini. This is JESSICA GREEN. She wears a white dress that accentuates her beautiful features. Several nearby men stare without a hint of subtlety. A small Bluetooth device is barely visible in her left ear. JESSICA (casually) The sooner I get out of Lecherville, the better. She stares at a particularly wrinkly looking man several feet away. He does not even attempt to hide the fact that he is staring straight at her breasts. He notices her stare and winks creepily. She looks away in disgust. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK CLOSET MICHAEL (on the walkie-talkie) Ill take that as a yes. Alrighty then- woo away. Well be out in sixty seconds. Michael takes a deep breath. MICHAEL (CONTD) Okay everyone, from here on out, no names. Primaries ONLY! Weve been planning this for two months. We know exactly what to do and the only way well get caught is if we all drop our wallets in the punch on the way out. (beat) Alright, thats the best speech I can come up with right now, so...lets steal some old peoples jewelry. Ready? Beat. There is no response from the Walkie-Talkie, except for the sound of zombies moaning on Ians PSP. MICHAEL (CONTD) Okay, Ill take what I can get. You all suited up, big guy?

5.

Bryce looks RIDICULOUS in the Santa costume, but appears determined nonetheless. BRYCE (close up) Lets bring ho-ho-home the bacon. MICHAEL (to himself) Oh God. Michael grabs the duffel bag and withdraws a small pouch filled with cocktail wieners. He places them delicately on the waiters tray. He grabs the duffel bag as he and Bryce exit the closet. INT. NEWHAVEN NATIONAL BANK (LOBBY) Jessica approaches JACOB MILLER, a plump middle-aged man. JESSICA (southern accent) Hello, Mr. Miller, how are you doing this evening? MR. MILLER Well, Ms. Sassafras! So good to see you again. Youll be pleased as punch to hear that some of our wealthiest clients are here for the Christmas Giving Auction. Remind me again why it needed to be cash only? JESSICA Of course, Jacob. Well, since Cranial Nymphoma Syndrome has yet to reach the mortality threshold for full recognition by the CDC, we dont have complete tax protection yet. This way, every single penny goes towards helping those suffering from CNS. MR. MILLER Is that legal? JESSICA Perfectly. MR. MILLER And what exactly do the CNS-smitten suffer from again?

6.

JESSICA Id rather not say. She leans in to Mr. Miller, resting her arm gently on his shoulder. JESSICA (CONTD) Its...not fun to describe. The camera pans away and we see Michael and Bryce exiting the hallway. Bryce now carries a Santa Sack. Michael still holds the duffel bag, but it is obscured by the tray. MICHAEL Alright, buddy. Time to join your bro-ho-hos. BRYCE Dude, just no. MICHAEL What? So you can say it, but I cant? BRYCE Im the one wearing this damn beard. Do you have any idea how itchy this thing is? MICHAEL Oh, does poor little Bryce need some ointment or can we do this thing?. Go- theyre finishing the song. The Santa quartet finishes playing WHITE CHRISTMAS and take a breath. Bryce approaches the group. BRYCE How about these suits, huh guys? ANOTHER SANTA I swear, if Jeffries makes me be the Easter bunny again this year, Ill stab him with a carrot. The rest of the Santas laugh and Michael locks eyes with Jessica as if to say, here we go. Michael walks towards a SECURITY GUARD leaning against the front door.

7.

MICHAEL Sir, can I tempt you with a spiced cocktail dog? The security guard yawns, grabs three wieners, and stuffs them into his mouth all at once. Michael turns around, a small grin spreading across his face. Behind him and unnoticed by anyone else, the guard slumps to the ground unconscious. We cut to Bryce, approaching a group of chairs directly next to the Santas. In one fluid move, he jumps onto the nearest chair and pulls a SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN from the his sack. He FIRES once into the air. EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK ROOF- SAME The shotgun blast EXPLODES from the room below, leaving a large hole less than a foot from where Ian kneels with his PSP. Shocked, he flings his PSP away. It flies off the roof and shatters on the road below. INT. NEWHAVEN NATIONAL BANK LOBBY- SAME A TRASH BAG FULL OF CONFETTI tied to the ceiling EXPLODES, showering red and green confetti everywhere. Women scream and parents grab their children, flinging them to the ground. After several seconds, the room is silent. Confetti rains from the ceiling. Bryce waits for the confetti to clear before speaking. It is perhaps the longest five seconds in history. BRYCE Alright everyone- THIS IS A HO-HOHOLDUP!! Bryce glances towards Michael, who gives him a defeated nod, as if to say well played, sir. With one hand holding the shotgun, Bryce fishes into his pocket and smoothes out a crumpled piece of paper. BRYCE (CONTD) I dont want to stay long, so the sooner you follow my directions, the sooner you can finish your Smurf-tinis. He nods at a nearby lady as he says this. She grips a light blue martini covered in whipped cream. Bryce looks down and begins reading the piece of paper, in his best sophisticated bank robber voice.

8.

BRYCE (CONTD) If you would all turn your attention to the troupe of festive St. Nicks to my left. He turns to address the Santas BRYCE (CONTD) Good news boys- looks like youll be getting out of those itchy beards early. Unfortunately, until then, Im going to need your help. If you would all be so kind, please take off your hats and go around the room filling them with whatever cash and jewelry you find on these wonderful people. Ladies, please dont fight the holiday spirit. Giving is the reason for the season, and as long as we follow that reason, nobody gets hurt. A MORBIDLY OBESE MAN near Michael suddenly stands up and tries to run towards the front door of the bank. Michael sighs and withdraws the revolver from the duffel bag. Hiding the gun beneath his tray, he takes quick aim and SHOOTS another dart. It lodges directly in the butt of the obese man, who crashes to the floor unconscious. This goes unnoticed. We focus again on Bryce as he points the shotgun towards the Santas, who slowly take off their hats and begin walking around the room. MICHAEL (into the Bluetooth) Green, 30 seconds until lights out. IAN (pissed-off on the WalkieTalkie) Hey, dumb ass, why dont you tell Bryce to try shooting somewhere else next time. He almost killed me with that damn warning shot. MICHAEL Oh, shit, sorry Jor- I mean Green. 30 seconds, okay? IAN Aye aye, oh master BLUE! Michael looks around, flustered. The Santas have moved remarkably quickly and quickly congregate in the center of the room.

9.

BRYCE Alright, everyone, almost done. Santas, drop your hats on the floor! Now! The Santas drop their jewel-filled hats to the floor. BRYCE (CONTD) Okay, now eyes closed! Everyone! If I see you peeking, you better believe, youre going on my naughty list! We see everyone closing their eyes. A moment later, the LIGHTS SHUT OFF. The building is COMPLETELY DARK. After several seconds, two green orbs appear where Michaels eyes had been. The camera goes into night vision mode and we see Michael wearing a set of NIGHT VISION GOGGLES. He runs over to the group of Santas, grabbing two more pairs of goggles from his bag and handing them to Bryce and Jessica. Bryce grabs the Santa hats from the ground and stuffs them into his Duffel Bag. Michael withdraws his revolver again and shoots the four Santas square in the chest in quick succession. They collapse. Michael grabs the darts and drops them into his bag. BRYCE (CONTD) Alright, nobody peek! Count to 30 in your heads and then you can open your eyes and continue with this enchanting little soiree of yours. The three Protagonists run skillfully between the oblivious party-goers towards the front entrance. As Michael passes the Obese man, he pulls the dart from his back and tosses it into his bag. Bryce stops next to the unconscious security officer, removing his own santa costume. He struggles momentarily to get the suit onto the officers unconscious body. Jessica pushes open the front door and the three exit. EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BANK (PARKING LOT) The three protagonists emerge from the bank and run towards a Silver Volkswagen parked in a handicapped space. JESSICA Wait, wheres Ian? IAN (O.C.) Right here, you shit bags. Excluding you, of course, Jess.

10.

JESSICA (sarcastically) Of course. MICHAEL Come on, lets get the hell out of here. We are this close to our first successful heist. Michael jumps into the drivers seat of the car, while Jessica hops into the passengers seat. Bryce jumps into the back seat, as Ian stands up, holding the shattered remains of his PSP. He enters the car dejected. INT. SCION- SAME Michael tosses the duffel bag into the back seat. Bryce throws his hand into the bag, hoping for jewels. BRYCE Ow! What the hell?? Bryce retracts his hand. One of the used tranquilizers is lodged deep in his palm. BRYCE (CONTD) Not agai... Bryce passes out on Ians lap. Ian looks up in disgust. IAN Can you please drive a little bit faster? EXT. NEWBERG ROAD - NIGHT The car pulls away and accelerates quickly, WOOPS resounding out of the open sunroof. The camera pans up towards the FULL MOON, hanging over the distinctive, beautiful skyline of NEWBERG. An upbeat remix of Hero by Enrique Iglesias begins to play. Begin Opening Credits INT. NEWBERG HIGH SCHOOL (CLASSROOM)- DAY HENRY MCGIDDY, a short boy with curly red hair and glasses, stands at the front of the room, holding note cards and glancing around at the class nervously.

11.

An overweight teacher, MR. SIMPSON, leans back in his chair, legs extended onto his desk. His eyes are closed. HENRY (stuttering slightly) ...And so I believe that the general equilibrium of our very world is upheaved by the presence of these so called heroes and villains. Their very existence undermines the fundamental structure of society that our governments have worked for so long to construct and maintain. The camera focuses on JACK MILES, a run-of-the-mill teenager, sitting in the back row of the classroom. Jacks brown eyes focus on Henry. He looks mildly interested in Henrys speech. His opened notebook reveals a large scale, pencil-drawn, battle a group of villains and heroes. One hero HURLS lightning at a group of muscular henchmen while another flies towards a katana-wielding villain. HENRY (CONTD) These heroes answer to no one. Who is to say whether their deeds are just or whether they are motivated by some interior need for recognition and worship. By implementing a national policy for the illegalization of hero vigilantism, our nation will... JACK (interrupting loudly) What about the villains? A few heads turn but nobody else pays attention. Theyve heard this exchange before. HENRY (clearly taken aback) Excuse me, I wasnt finished. JACK But what about the villains? If you make it a crime for heroes to protect the cities, whos going to stop them? You cant really expect villains to play by your rules. After all, they are...you know...bad guys. Bad guys dont usually follow the law, do they? Thats why theyre bad.

12.

The bell rings and students begins to file out of the room. Mr. Simpson, still asleep, doesnt budge. Jack grabs his binder and backpack and exits the room. INT. NEWBERG HIGH SCHOOL (HALLWAY)- DAY Jack takes a sip of water from a fountain and walks towards his locker, but is suddenly blocked by Miles McGiddy being shoved into a locker. His shirt is grasped by the bulbous hands of QUENTIN STRANGE. QUENTIN (to Miles) Wheres my homework, McGiddy? HENRY (terrified) Im working on it. Mr. Jenkins changed the variables on the Physics problems so I have to rework them. Theyll be ready by tomorrow morning. Scouts honor. QUENTIN Unfortunately for you, ya little snot, I have Jenkins 8th period today, so either you have recently become a comedian without my knowledge or you are about to have a very broken nose. JACK (to Quentin) Whats the problem, guys, because it seems to be blocking my locker. QUENTIN (to Jack) Maybe you should consider telling your pal here about the benefits of doing his homework on time. JACK Yeah, I dont think his homework is the problem, Quentin. QUENTIN Well, unfortunately, its my problem now, so unless you want blood on your shiny locker, I suggest you convince our mutual friend to hand over the goods.

13.

Jack reaches into his bag and pulls out a stapled set of papers. JACK Here, why dont you take mine, Quentin? I have an extra copy. Quentin grabs the homework, smirks, and walks away. JACK (CONTD) (to Henry) Again, Henry? Thats the third time this month? HENRY You dont even take Physics... JACK Nope, but luckily I dont think Quentin knows the difference between Physics and Chemistry. Jack opens his locker and puts his binder away. Pictures of superheroes from magazine articles fill the walls of the locker. JACK (CONTD) Listen, next time he makes you do his homework, say no, take the punch, and thatll be it. HENRY Yeah, well thanks, Jack. Henry walks away, checking the next corner before turning. Jack laughs and walks the opposite direction. EXT. SPACE DEFENSE CORPORATION- AFTERNOON Establishing shot. A vast, futuristic complex on the outskirts of Newberg. INT. SPACE DEFENSE CORPORATION (LOBBY)- SAME Jack walks into a cold, metallic lobby. A statue of a silver astronaut towers over him, just behind the security station. Jack approaches a set of metal detectors.

14.

SECURITY GUARD Good afternoon, Mr. Miles. Your father should be back from his appointment any minute. Would you like to wait in his office? JACK Sure. Thanks, James. Jack walks towards a bank of elevators, glancing at a plasma television screen, which shows a beautiful brunette woman against a calm blue backdrop. WOMAN ON SCREEN Welcome to the Space Defense Corporation, where tomorrows promises are revealed...today. JACK (to himself) Ooh. Catchy. Jack steps onto an elevator and presses L12. The doors slide shut, and an informational video flickers to life on the closed doors. VIDEO VOICEOVER Here at Space Corp, we pride ourselves on making technological leaps and bounds previously thought... impossible. The video shows a scientist in the desert pointing at a missile flying overhead. The scientist wears a mechanical glove. Wherever he points, the missile follows. After a moment, he flicks his finger at a car in the distance. The missile immediately follows the trajectory, replacing the car with a MASSIVE FIREBALL. JACK Woah. VIDEO VOICEOVER Our newest initiative aims to give our countrys astronauts the most realistic training ever created. So real, in fact, that it ceases to be training...at all. The video shows an astronaut in a large white room. He wears a thin metallic suit with blue tubes intertwined around his entire body.

15.

VIDEO VOICEOVER (CONTD) The Gravitational-Reactive Astro Vehicle, or GRAV for short, uses revolutionary physics-based technology to allow astronauts...to float. The astronaut on the screen begins to float, giving a thumbs up to the camera. ASTRONAUT (C.U.) Because at Space Corp, we let your imaginationHe pushes off of a wall and zooms across the room. ASTRONAUT (CONTD) -Soar! Jack rolls his eyes as the elevator doors slide open. INT. SPACE DEFENSE CORPORATION (BASEMENT LEVEL)- DAY Jack steps off the elevator and walks down a dimly-lit hallway. The walls of the surrounding offices are made of tinted glass. As Jack passes one office, he sees a man in a lab coat studying a sphere suspended in midair. Jack reaches the end of the hallway and attempts to open a door labeled Milton Miles: Chief Particle Physicist. Locked. JACK (to himself) Son of a... He looks around and walks down a hall to his left. A white semi-circular hatch catches his attention. He pushes hard and the door opens with a hiss of escaping air. INT. GRAV TEST CHAMBER - SAME Jack squints as he enters the same enormous white room from the elevator video. Apart from a small desk, the room is completely empty. JACK Hello? His echo reverberates off the walls. He turns to leave, but an opened closet next to the desk catches his eye. Cautiously, Jack approaches.

16.

As he gets closer, the camera edges around the corner to reveal a metallic suit, the same one from the video, hanging neatly inside the closet. A sleek silver helmet rests next to it. JACK (CONTD) Awesome. He reaches in and grips the suit tightly. It Velcro clasp and, instead of falling, begins piece of paper wedged behind the suit glides floor. Jack, distracted by the suit, doesnt JACK (CONTD) No way... Jack glances around to check if the coast is clear and slowly unzips the back of the suit. The two sides part, completely weightless. Jack steps in and struggles to zip the suit back up. From inside the closet, the piece of paper comes into focus as Jack struggles with the suit in the background. It reads: DANGER- EQUIPMENT LEAK. DO NOT USE. Cut to a close up of Jacks legs. One of the tubes begins to leak. Blue liquid drips slowly to the floor. INT. GRAV TEST CHAMBER- SAME Jack grips the wall. JACK (screaming) Let her go, Torpedon! She has nothing to do with this. He contorts his mouth and squints his eyes. JACK (CONTD) (as Torpedon, gravelly) You must choose, Jack Miles, the girl...or the world! Jack kneels against the wall, preparing for a jump. JACK (CONTD) I choose...justice!!! Jack launches himself off the wall and FLIES through the air, arms extended. After forty feet, he COLLIDES with a punching bag suspended twenty feet in the air. The chains holding it STRAIN. He battles with the bag furiously for a few moments before sitting on top, feet twirled around the chain. detaches from a to float. A softly to the notice.

17.

JACK (CONTD) (panting) Best day ever. Without notice, the entire punching bag comes unhooked from the ceiling. Jack, still wrapped in the chain, is YANKED down like a sack of potatoes. He grasps at thin air and looks down just as... Cut to black. INT. GRAV TEST CHAMBER- MOMENTS LATER Jacks eyes slowly open. From his point-of-view, the room comes into focus. His left arm lies by his side at an unnatural angle. The punching bag rests on his left leg. He groans and tries to move it but instantly gives up, his face wrenched with pain. Jack lifts his right arm and feels the back of his head. He brings it in front of his face. It is covered in a mixture of blood and blue liquid. JACK (groggily) What the hell? From above, we see Jack lying in a pool of blue liquid. The fluid pulses slowly, moving around his body like a whirlpool. Some of the liquid moves towards an open wound on Jacks head. As blood drips out, it mixes with the liquid, which travels up the base of his neck and back into his wound. Jack gasps and clutches his head. His eyes contract and the liquid FLOODS his corneas, turning his eyes a magnificent shade of DEEP BLUE. He SCREAMS and reaches for the punching bag. As he strains, the bag quivers for a moment and FLIES ACROSS THE ROOM, crashing into the far wall. Jack gasps and looks down at his arm. He clenches his fist and the blue fluid visibly rushes through his veins. Cut to black. EXT. NEWBERG DOWNTOWN- AFTERNOON Establishing shot of a bustling Newberg street surrounded by low-rise apartment buildings. CITY HALL, a miraculous marble building capped with a golden-domed roof, glistens in the distance.

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INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- SAME Piles of cash and jewels litter the oversized coffee table in Michaels two-story loft. The entire place is classy with a distinct bachelor vibe: -A large wraparound couch covers much of the main room. -Movie posters litter the walls, everything from The Great Escape to Gambit. -In one corner, a large grappling gun reclines against a bookcase. Directly opposite it, a large hook attached to a thick rope protrudes from the wall. -Photos of Michael and Jessica from college fill the counters. In one photo, the two friends, ski masks pulled over their heads, toast champagne. -A whiteboard covered by a large tarp stands in front of the couch. The place feels like home. Bryce grabs a slice of pizza from an UberMan Pizza box and returns to a Boxing video game. On the pizza box, a cartoon picture of a superhero winks while shooting pepperoni out of his fingers. Michael sits on the floor cross-legged, deep in thought. Ian mindlessly shuffles through a wad of cash. The door opens and Jessica enters hurriedly. JESSICA Sorry Im late, guys. You know daddy- never one to pass up a family photo op. She drops her purse and sinks into the couch. IAN I still find it wildly amusing that daddy-mayor-dearest has unwittingly raised an enemy of the state. JESSICA (mocking) What he doesnt know wont hurt him. Michael finally joins the group on the couch. MICHAEL Or his campaign.

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He winks at Jessica. MICHAEL (CONTD) So, we ready for the big reveal? IAN Yes we are. Alright, lady and assholes. After two months of meticulous planning, casing, and training, the Fearsome Foursomes first ever large scale heist brought in a grand total of...$63,975 cash plus jewelry. Based on current rare gem prices, thats an actual grand total of around $150,000! Bryce chokes on a bite of pizza. His mouth forms a large Oh shape and he looks around at the others, wide-eyed. BRYCE Woah! JESSICA Damn, guys! Everyone turns to Michael who sits silently. Beat. MICHAEL There must have been 200 people there. Thats, what, $750 a person? Dont they care about Nymphomaniac Disorder? JESSICA Cranial Nymphoma Syndrome. MICHAEL Yeah, that. Youd think the Newberg social elite would at least pretend to care about a disease theyd never heard of. Speaking of, what exactly were we saying this fictional disease does to people? IAN Yeah, we never got that far... JESSICA Come on, Mike. You cant seriously be disappointed! Up until yesterday, our biggest score ever was Dr. Lesters tree frog collection in sophomore year.

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Michael grins, momentarily distracted. MICHAEL Oh man, he was not happy about that. Even when we returned them to him the next day in his bubble bath! Michael glances at one of the pictures of him and Jessica at college. He snaps back. MICHAEL (CONTD) The point is, if we want to establish ourselves as legitimate crooks, you know, criminals who people have heard of, we have to think bigger. JESSICA I agree, Mike, but we cant just go after the Louvre on day one. We have to be smart about this. MICHAEL And we were. We started small and it worked. It let us smooth out the kinks in our process. He raises an eyebrow at Bryce, who looks mortified. BRYCE Kinks gone. I swear! Michael smiles and stands up, moving towards the covered whiteboard. MICHAEL But now its time for something bigger. Something that will put us on the map. Were going to make everyone forget that Newberg doesnt have a real villain. JESSICA Woah, Mike. I dont think... MICHAEL Come on, Jess. I dont mean were going to start freezing people and slipping tickle powder in the water supply. I just think that in order to be really successful we need to become a bit more, you know, infamous.

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JESSICA Im fine with stealing. I mean, weve done that since we were 19, but... MICHAEL But nothing. You have my wordwere thieves. Nothing more, nothing less. But that doesnt mean we cant steal something really freaking awesome. He grabs the tarp covering the whiteboard. MICHAEL (CONTD) And that something is... Michael RIPS the tarp from the board. The room is silent. MICHAEL (CONTD) ...the Newberg Neutrality Sphere. Cut to the white board, which is covered in newspaper clippings and blueprints. One clipping reads, Newberg awarded 17th Global Neutrality Sphere; another reads, Villain/Hero-free Newberg Bags Coveted Neutrality Sphere. A blueprint labeled City Hall shows the buildings signature domed roof. At the center of the blueprint, a small lobby is circled in Sharpie. Michael stares at Bryce for a moment before clearing his throat. Bryce notices and repeats a very rehearsed line. BRYCE (forced) But Mike, why would we steal that? MICHAEL Well, Bryce, Im glad you asked. Jessica scoffs and rolls her eyes but Michael continues. MICHAEL (CONTD) As you all know, Newberg received its very own Neutrality Sphere on August 22, 2006 for maintaining itself as a hero and villain-free city.. Michael points to a photo on the whiteboard. It shows a DARKORANGE SPHERE the size of a bowling ball sitting atop a small podium in the lobby of City Hall. It rests inside a clear glass case.

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MICHAEL (CONTD) The sphere is housed in a two-inchthick glass case in the central lobby of City Hall. Cameras, lasers grids, pressure-activated alarms, the works. Its Newbergs pride and glory. Wed have an easier time robbing the Newberg Gold Reserve than we would liberating glowing green ball of joy. IAN So why dont we just do that? MICHAEL Do what? IAN You know, rob the Newberg Gold Reserve. MICHAEL Im getting to that. Two reasons actually. First, were going to send a message with this job. Everyone thinks that just because Newberg is villain-free, its safe. Well, when we stroll out of City Hall with the citys very own NSphere, well show them that they were wrong. Honestly, can you guys think of a better way to announce ourselves as the citys newest and most badass group of thieves? Its pretty elegant actually: we steal the Sphere that promotes Newberg as villain-free and simultaneously become the citys new face of villainy. BRYCE Sounds awesome! JESSICA (unconvinced) How about reason two? Michael points to the picture of the Sphere. MICHAEL Well, does anyone know what this bad boy is made of?

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BRYCE (excited) Gold? IAN Its green, you moron. BRYCE (quietly) It could be green gold. JESSICA Its made of plasma. MICHAEL You bet it is. And plasma, as luck would have it, is one of the rarest substances on earth. There are scientists, governments, multinational corporations, whatever, who would sell their very greedy souls for a piece of bona fide plasma. We would make bank. Think buy Bora Bora bank. IAN Then why exactly hasnt Newberg sold it? If its worth so much, youd think the city would want to sell it for, you know, parks or... whatever cities spend money on. MICHAEL Well, Newberg got the Sphere from the Villain Elimination Force. I think theyre part of the UN? Or maybe the EU? It doesnt matter. Either way, the Sphere is kind of like a... Michael spots the wrestlers on Bryces paused video game. MICHAEL (CONTD) ...a championship belt. Like in wrestling, if you win the championship, you cant sell the belt because if you lose the next year, you have to give it back. Well in this situation, if Newberg suddenly finds itself with a hero or villain, the V.E.F. will come in and give the Sphere to a new city.

24.

JESSICA Any idea how they got their hands on so much plasma? Theres almost fifty of these Spheres now, right? MICHAEL I actually looked into that. Obviously the V.E.F. doesnt reveal their source, but it looks like the Neutrality Program was started right around the time Solarman was caught in Moscow. JESSICA So youre saying they have Solarman locked up somewhere and are basically, what, milking plasma out of him? MICHAEL Well, when you put it like that, it sounds so civilized! Remember, he was a crazy supervillain. You cant feel that bad for him. IAN I guess its better than those poor foie gras geese. MICHAEL Okay, before Ian runs outside to make out with a tree, what does everyone think? BRYCE Id really prefer not to think about Ian making out with a tree. MICHAEL No, the Sphere, Bryce. What do you think about stealing the Sphere? Michael surveys the room. Bryce looks pumped. Ian is midly offended. Jessica stands up and studies the blueprints. After a beat, she turns to Michael. JESSICA One condition. We dont sell the Sphere to any wackos or nut jobs. MICHAEL I wouldnt dream of it.

25.

JESSICA Alright, hotshot. Whats the plan? MICHAEL Well, nighttime is out. Theres a tamper-proof laser grid sweeping the main lobby starting at 8 p.m. And a simple shock-and-awe is also a no-go because, well, why dont you explain it, Ian? IAN Right, well the floor surrounding the Spheres case is embedded with pressure sensors. The second you step past the security rope, steel plates shoot out and surround the entire sphere. Plus, the sensors operate on an independent grid so we cant just kill the main power and expect those bad boys to go offline too. Michael jumps in. MICHAEL Right. So the point is, we have one option- we steal it in broad daylight. And we come in from above. EXT. JACK MILES HOME- AFTERNOON A silver Escalade pulls up to a red-brick mansion in the suburbs of Newberg. The city skyline is visible in the distance. CYNTHIA MILES, a fashionable housewife in her mid40s, exits the driver seat and bustles to the back door. She opens it and peaks in to check on Jack. CYNTHIA Now, Jackie, I dont want you putting a lick of weight on that little leg of yours for at least, oh what did the doctor say, a week? Lets say four just to be safe. She grips Jacks arm tightly and helps him out of the car. Jack looks like hell. His head is heavily bandaged, and his left arm sports a sling. His left leg is in a light splint.

26.

JACK (grimacing) Mom, I got it. Jeez, do you want to dislocate this arm too? CYNTHIA Oh, Jackie, Im so sorry. Ive just been so worried about you. Youre never going into your fathers damn office again. The fact that they didnt have that room locked up, I just cantJACK -mom, relax. Please. Im fine, I promise. Jack grabs a pair of crutches from the backseat and hobbles towards the front door. Cynthia grabs a suitcase from the backseat and hurries after him. CYNTHIA Fine!? You call this fine? You look like a little mummy, Jackiepoo. If youd fallen just a few more feet, you could have... Cynthia stops dead in her tracks and ERUPTS into tears. Jack sighs but turns around to give her a huge hug. JACK Mom, Im still here. The same old Jackiepoo I was last week. INT. JACKS BEDROOM- MOMENTS LATER Jack opens the door to his bedroom and flicks on the lights. He flings his crutches into the corner. The entire room is a giant shrine to superheroes. A six year-old would be perfectly at home here. News headlines line the walls: The Polarbear-er Vanquishes Indigo; Johnny Appleseed Creates Jungle in Amsterdam. Various other caped-crusaders line the walls. An action figure of a man in a purple leotard dangles from the ceiling fan. Jack locks his door and collapses onto his bed. He takes a deep breath. A voice erupts from downstairs. CYNTHIA (O.S) Jack! What do you want for dinner?

27.

JACK (to Cynthia) Surprise me. He clenches his fist and watches the blue liquid surge through his veins. Jack shudders. JACK (CONTD) Weird. He points his open palm at the dangling action figure. Nothing happens. JACK (CONTD) Hmm. Jack bends his right arm and straightens it quickly. Nothing. JACK (CONTD) Alright. Think, Jack. Jack closes his eyes and concentrates. He grips the sheets with his arms and flexes. His veins surge blue. The edges of the sheets slowly RISE INTO THE AIR. Feeling the sheets move beneath him, Jack opens his eyes. The sheets fall back into place. Jack squints and points at the action figure. It shakes. After a moment, the action figure starts to FLOAT away from Jack, causing the fan to spin. The action figure picks up speed and the fan spins faster. After a beat, the fan is just a blur, spinning like a CYCLONE. The figure is barely visible. Suddenly, the figure DETACHES from the fan and smashes through Jacks window, leaving a small hole. CYNTHIA (O.S) Jack? What was that? JACK Nothing, mom! Just the TV. Jack smiles. INT. ABANDONED OFFICE BUILDING- EVENING Bryce, dressed in a security guard uniform, strolls along a stripped-down hallway in an abandoned office building. He whistles cheerfully while brandishing a police baton. He enters a large atrium. In the center of the room, a refrigerator box stands propped up. A clear glass display case rests on the box. Inside is a pink bowling ball.

28.

BRYCE Nope, nothing going on here. Just another day in the office. I think I will walk in this direction seeing as the Neutrality Sphere is safe! He whistles all the way out of the atrium. Inside the air duct overlooking the room, Michael and Jessica lie waiting, squeezed tightly into the narrow shaft. JESSICA Are you sure the air ducts in City Hall are this...cozy? MICHAEL (sarcastic) You saw the blueprints. Its almost like the architects didnt want people using these shafts to break into the building! JESSICA Well, do we really both need to be up here? MICHAEL Do you see anywhere to hook in the rope? I need you to lower me down with your beefy arms. Jessica jabs Michael in the side. MICHAEL (CONTD) Ow! JESSICA Beefy? Jessica strains to examine her arms. Theyre the opposite of beefy. MICHAEL (laughing) Come on, dont you remember senior year? JESSICA Yeah, well I was lowering a baby alligator into the deans office then. Not a 28 year-old baby human.

29.

MICHAEL Interesting. I take it poor, little Jessica doesnt think she can handle her part of the job? Jessica sneers and clips a carabiner to Michaels belt, connecting them with a thick rope. JESSICA Alright, Townsend. So lets run through this one more time. 2:30Ian kills the cameras. MICHAEL 2:31- You call in the bomb threat. JESSICA 2:32- the building is evacuated except for the guards in the main lobby. MICHAEL 2:34- I take them out with my handydandy dart gun. JESSICA 2:35- Bryce comes out of the bathroom and locks the front doors. MICHAEL 2:36- You lower me down. JESSICA 2:37- You drill through the case. MICHAEL 2:38- I swing to safety, you lower yourself down, and the three of us stroll out the back door to fabulous riches. JESSICA And by the time the bomb squad gets here and breaks down the front doors, were producing our very own plasma screen TVs. Michael chortles and smiles at Jessica for a moment too long. Awkward silence. Jessica smiles mischievously. MICHAEL Whats the smile for?

30.

JESSICA This. Jessica GRABS Michael by the belt and THRUSTS HIM FORWARD into thin air. Michael SCREAMS. Jessica holds tightly to the rope, which instantly goes taut. Straining to hold it, she looks through the opening of the duct. Michael dangles five feet below. MICHAEL Thanks, Jess. JESSICA Yeah, well, you said I had beefy arms. Bryce appears out of nowhere. BRYCE Intruders! Eat my cold hard plastic! He pauses as he sees Michael dangling. BRYCE (CONTD) Michael, what are you doing. JESSICA Oh, hes just hanging around. MICHAEL Ha ha. Alright, again! INT. NEWBERG HIGH SCHOOL (CLASSROOM)- DAY Jack sits in Physics class, doodling in his notebook. MR. DELANCEY, mid 30s but already greying, writes notes about Isaac Newton on the chalkboard. We see Jack drawing pictures in his notebook: an apple floating above a tree; a house levitating above a busy street. He pays no attention to the lecture. MR. DELANCEY It wasnt until 1666 when he moved in with his mother that Newton began to consider the possibility that the power of gravity was not simply limited to the earth itself. That this mysterious force might be even more all-encompassing, dictating everything from the orbit of the moon to the curve of a flying apple...

31.

Mr. Delancey pulls an apple out of a drawer and tosses it at an oblivious student. The apple SMACKS the student in the face. STUDENT Ow! MR. DELANCEY Woops, sorry, Jimmy. He continues. Jimmy nurses his forehead. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) As I was saying, as soon as Newton informed others of the gravity of his discovery... Mr. Delancey opens his mouth and looks around the room, waiting for a chuckle. Not a sound. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) The entire scientific community realized the amount of gravitas he truly possessed. Jack stops drawing. He looks up at Mr. Delancey, intrigued. He looks back down to his paper and scribbles something. We look over his shoulder to reveal the word Gravitas in large block letters. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) Come on, guys. Nothing? That was definitely worth at least a forced chuckle. Theres really not that much gravity-based humor out there, you know. The bell RINGS. Students STAMPEDE towards the door. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) Alright. Just remember- pop quiz on Monday...oh, dammit. Nevermind, forget I just said that. Only two students remain in the room- Jack and a goth girl, JULIE SPIMONI. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) Have a good weekend, Julie. Julie edges towards the door. Mr. Delancey notices Jack. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) Hey, Jack. Hows the leg?

32.

JACK Not bad. Already off the crutches and its getting me an infinite supply of lasagna and ice cream from my mom. So... not bad, all things considered. MR. DELANCEY Glad to hear it, mommas boy. So what can I help you with? JACK Actually, Im working on my Newton paper for Tuesday and I was wondering if you could answer a quick question for me about gravitational theory? MR. DELANCEY No problem. Always happy to help my young procrastinators. Jack drops his bag on a desk. JACK So, we always talk about how gravity pulls all objects towards each other. MR. DELANCEY That all objects with mass attract one another, yes. JACK Right. Well, I was wondering- is it possible for gravity to do the opposite of that? MR. DELANCEY You mean push objects away from one another? JACK Yeah. So could gravity be manipulated on an object so that it could attract and repel other objects? MR. DELANCEY Hmm. thats a pretty complex issuea bit above my pay grade. Well, everythings above my pay grade if you think about it.

33.

Jack forces a laugh. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) Hmm, on one hand, there are some crazy technological advances occurring right now in that field. Your father works for Space Corp, right? You should ask him about the GRAV test suit theyre working on. Really fascinating stuff. Jacks shifts nervously. Mr. Delancey doesnt notice. MR. DELANCEY (CONTD) On the other hand, any object that has the ability to attract and repel other objects would be incredibly unstable. Gravity is one of the four fundamental interactions of nature. You start messing with nature, you never where you may end up. JACK Right, I was just curious. You know, for the paper. MR. DELANCEY (suspiciously) The assignment is to discuss Isaac Newtons life and work. Your question goes a bit...beyond that. JACK Well, you know me. Always trying to go the extra mile... Jack exits the room, Mr. Delancey staring quizzically. INT. NEWBERG HIGH SCHOOL (HALLWAY)- CONTINUOUS Jack hobbles down the hallway, staring at the ground. He turns a corner and SLAMS into Quentin. QUENTIN Watch it, Miles. Jack doesnt respond and continues walking. He glances back to see that Quentin has pulled out a HUGE SLINGSHOT and is loading up a fat spitball. He takes aim at an oblivious freshman girl. Jack opens his mouth to protest but stops. He considers his options before clenching his fist. Blue fluid surges through his irises.

34.

Quentin closes one eye and pulls the slingshot back. From Quentins point-of-view, he takes aim at the girl and releases. The spitball flies three feet before stopping in midair and ARCING back towards Quentin. His eye widens just as it SPLATTERS against his forehead. He looks around, confused. Jack watches for a moment before walking away, pumping his fist. EXT. JACK MILES HOME- AFTERNOON The family Escalade pulls up to the house. INT. JACKS BEDROOM- MOMENTS LATER Jack enters his room and falls into his desk chair. CYNTHIA (O.S.) Jack! Did you see what your father left on your pillow? Jack spins in his desk chair. Propped on his pillow is the GRAV TEST HELMET- the same one from the test chamber. Beneath it is a note- Your meticulous safety testing convinced us to shut down the GRAV program for now. Thought you should have this for your troubles. -Dad. Jack places the helmet over his head and checks himself out in the mirror. Not bad. He removes the mask. Something in the corner of the mirror catches his eye- the reflection of one of his posters, which shows the hero Yeasayer standing on top of a crushed car, arms crossed and staring into the distance. Adoring citizens surround him. Jack looks down at his mask. Immediately, his notebook is out and Jack begins to draw furiously. This time, no doodles. Instead, he draws logos and designs with the word Gravitas nested in the center. Time lapse shot of Jack throwing out design after design. The crumpled paper piles up in the waste basket. He stares at a final sheet, looking satisfied. INT. JACK MILES GARAGE- SAME Jack searches frantically for something. After a moment, he finds what hes looking for- a can of blue spray paint. He pushes the nozzle and blue spray erupts from the end. He covers his mouth and aims at the helmet sitting on the floor.

35.

EXT. NEWBERG COMMONS POOL- NIGHT Jack stands next to his neighborhood pool late at night. The place is deserted. The pool flickers blue as the water splashes against the submerged lights. Jack wears dark jeans, a black hoodie, and purple Chucks. The GRAV helmet covers his head; it is now painted deep blue. From behind, we see the word Gravitas painted meticulously on the helmet in silver lettering. He looks around. Nobody. JACK Okay... Jack closes his eyes and opens his palms, pointing them towards the water. All is still. (Beat). The water starts to churn. Waves form and CRASH against the edge of the pool. The diving board creaks. Water slowly ascends. After just a few seconds, the entire contents of the pool HOVER SEVERAL FEET IN THE AIR. Jack opens his eyes, daring a peak. He lifts his hands farther in the air. The water follows. Suddenly, he clenches his palms into fists. His eyes grow wide. The water falls back into the pool with a THUNDEROUS, FOAMING ROAR. Beat. Jack collapses to the ground. He lifts his hand- it trembles violently. JACK (CONTD) (panting) Unstable. Yeah, no kidding. He sprawls out next to the pool, breathing deeply. INT. CITY HALL LOBBY- AFTERNOON Several tourists mill around the Sphere, which shines magnificently in the center of the lobby. A family moves aside to reveal Jack, backpack over his shoulders, staring at a plaque in front of the Sphere. His sling and bandages are gone. It reads, In the absence of good, evil thrives. This Sphere signifies that the city of Newberg has maintained pristine civic conditions to ensure that the forces of evil are subdued without the need of a benevolent hero force. This Sphere will stay with Newberg until such time that heroes and villains call this city home. Jack unzips his backpack to reveal the GRAV mask, the word Gravitas clearly visible. He sighs and turns to leave. Suddenly, a FIRE ALARM begins to ring.

36.

FEMALE VOICE Please evacuate the building immediately. Jack follows as everyone rushes out the front door. EXT. CITY HALL (STREET)- SAME Hundreds of city employees cluster across the street from City Hall. Jack stands next to a group of CITY OFFICIALS who chatter nervously. CITY OFFICIAL 1 Did they have to do this right in the middle of Hero Report? CITY OFFICIAL 2 Yeah, well, it sounded like a legit bomb threat to me. Better safe than sorry. Jacks eyes widen. He stares at City Hall. It looks completely evacuated. He stares down at his backpack and sprints back towards City Hall. EXT. CITY HALL (BUSHES)- MOMENTS LATER Jack emerges from a cluster of bushes next to City Hall wearing his Gravitas uniform, mask and all. He runs to the front door and attempts to open it. Locked. Jack sprints farther along the building. He spies an OPENED WINDOW and quickly shimmies inside. INT. CITY HALL LOBBY- MOMENTS LATER Michael hangs in midair, drilling a circular hole into the Spheres case. Bryce stands ten feet away, pacing nervously. Two guards are slumped unconscious on the floor. Ians voice pipes in over Michaels Bluetooth. IAN How are we doing down there, ladies? Michael bites his lip. MICHAEL Almost. There. 30 seconds.

37.

BRYCE Come on, Mike. This is taking way too, WOAH! Bryce looks down- his feet dangle six inches above the ground. BRYCE (CONTD) Um, Mike? MICHAEL (frustrated) What is it? BRYCE Mike... Before he can say another word, Bryce FLIES INTO THE AIR and SLAMS into a large light fixture thirty feet above the ground. He clings to it for dear life. Michael finally looks up. Jack, in full Gravitas outfit, stands ten feet away. MICHAEL What the... JACK I have to say, I honestly didnt think Id get to test this out on actual bad guys quite so soon. Right place, right time, I guess. MICHAEL Who the hell are you? JACK Oh, how rude of me. My name is Jaerrr, Gravitas. And I am about to, um...turn your..uh...world upside down. MICHAEL Are you kidding mBefore he can speak, Jack clenches his fist and Michael begins FLOATING TOWARDS THE AIR DUCT ABOVE. He quickly becomes completely TANGLED in the rope. He stops a foot from the opening in the duct. Jessica peers at him, dumbstruck. MICHAEL (CONTD) (whispering) Hide. A tremendous CRASH echoes below. A ten-person Swat Team CRASHES through the front windows, guns drawn.

38.

SWAT LEADER Freeze! Nobody move! Jack throws his hands in the air, nodding frantically at Bryce and Michael. JACK Its them! They were trying to steal the Sphere. The Swat leaders cocks his head, staring at Jacks mask. SWAT LEADER And who the hell are you? Beat. JACK Im Gravitas. And Im here to protect this city. Without notice, Jack takes aim at a stack of CITY NEWSLETTERS nearby which EXPLODE in all directions. After a few moments, the newsletters settle. Jack is gone. Michael looks down as the Swat team fills the room. INT. NEWBERG SUPREME COURT- DAY Michael and Bryce, dressed in suits and handcuffed to their chairs, stand as JUDGE BLOOM, late 60s, enters the court room. Michael glances around at the other people in the room. Jessica and Ian sit in the back row. Next to them, oblivious to their presence, is Jack. He looks smug. Judge Bloom sits down. JUDGE BLOOM Has the jury reached a verdict? An overweight lady in the jury stands to read a statement. JUROR We find the defendants guilty of trespassing, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted grand larceny, and entirely reprehensible behavior. We recommend the death penalty. JUDGE BLOOM You what?

39.

JUROR They tried to steal our citys soul. Last I checked we were the largest city in the world with no vigilantes. We earned that Sphere.. They try to steal our pride? Send them to hell. JUDGE BLOOM Please sit down, dear. While I respect your, erm, patriotism, I must say that you clearly have no concept of the legal system. Or reality for that matter. He turns to Michael and Bryce. JUDGE BLOOM (CONTD) Gentlemen, while I would like nothing more than to make an example of you by locking you up permanently, I simply can not. The simple truth of the matter is that this Gravitas character stopped you before you could in fact steal anything. He turns to a television camera in the corner of the room. JUDGE BLOOM (CONTD) One of the woes of the hero-surge in recent years is that, while crimes are greatly reduced, the offenders are typically stopped before they can offend at all. With only pedestrian charges, they serve minimal sentences and then move on to hero-free cities like Newberg. While you still assaulted these poor guards... He points to the two previously-unconscious guards, who both look furious. JUDGE BLOOM (CONTD) ...I am glad you chose such a...docile form of assault. For that reason, I simply can not in good conscious smack you with the harsh backhand of the law. I sentence you both to six months in federal prison, to be carried out immediately.

40.

He slams his gavel on the table. EXT. CARNAVAS FEDERAL PENITENTIARY- AFTERNOON A blindingly white prison bus pulls up to a massive prison complex. Guards stationed on the walls boast heavy firepower; one mans a minigun. The bus door opens and prisoners exit. Many sport very distinctive wounds. Several men are badly burned, with eyebrows and patches of hair missing. Others have strange growths on their faces. Closer inspection reveals small plants sprouting from their ears and noses. Michael and Bryce are practically the only ones who appear unharmed. INT. CARNAVAS DECONTAMINATION ROOM- MINUTES LATER Guards aim hoses at prisoners, dousing them in water. A guard clips the plants off an inmates face. Other guards photograph prisoners. Inside the security office, a wall of similar photos is visible, showing inmates with other bizarre injuries: huge warts, purple skin, arms pinned to their sides. Michael looks around in disbelief. BRYCE Where are we? MICHAEL Feels like a freak show. INT. CARNAVAS GENERAL POPULATION- NIGHT Michael lies on a cot in a 5x8 foot cell. Bryce stares through the bars. Outside, a prisoner screams. PRISONER (screaming) Ill kill him! Bryce backs away from the bars. BRYCE Who do you think hes talking about? The prisoner screams again. PRISONER (screaming) Firefly!!!

41.

MICHAEL My guess? Someone called Firefly. BRYCE Isnt there a hero called Firefly? From Kansas or something? Beat. Michael bolts upright on his cot. MICHAEL Wait, did you see that story on the news last week about Plantacular? He stopped a break in at Fort Knox. Do you thinkBRYCE Those guys in the shower. They had plants growing out of their faces. MICHAEL And the ones with burns... BRYCE Firefly! MICHAEL Bryce, I think this prison is where they send criminals caught by heroes. The camera pulls out of the cell, showing a massive grid of other cells, all inhabited by hero-foiled criminals. INT. JESSICAS APARTMENT- MORNING Jessica paces across the living room of her sparsely furnished apartment. Ian reclines on a couch. The news plays on a television in the background. JESSICA Could we break them out? It cant be that hard- they do it all the time in the movies. IAN Jessica, relax. Theyre in there for six months. Next think you know, theyll be out and well be the biggest criminals this town has ever seen.

42.

JESSICA (on the verge of tears) I just cant stand having Michael and Bryce in there with all of those real bad guys. What if its my fault? What if I overestimated how long it would take for the Swat team to get there. We could have had more time! Ian stands up and grabs Jessica by the shoulder. IAN Stop killing yourself! Even if youd calculated it perfectly, it wouldnt have mattered. That Gravitas kid still would have showed up. Kind of a cool name actually. None of this cliche BlankMan shit. JESSICA I was actually thinking the same thing! I wonder where he- no, focus, Jess. Stop thinking aboutTV REPORTER (O.C.) Gravitas, Newbergs first hero, is taking the town by storm. Ian and Jessica turn to the television. Images flash on the screen: a group of five thugs pinned to an alley wall by a burned-out car; Gravitas levitating a kitten down from a tree and into the arms of an elderly woman. TV REPORTER (CONTD) After just one week in the public eye, reported crimes have diminished 25%. JESSICA 25%. Wow. TV REPORTER And stores... Images of store clerks handing customers Gravitas-themed tshirts. TV REPORTER (CONTD) ...are already selling out of Gravitas Gear. Many citizens, however, are less than pleased.

43.

Cut to shot of a garbage man. GARBAGE MAN We dont need him. We can take care of ourselves and a hero will just get in the freakin way. The Sphere proves that we manage just fine on our own. TV REPORTER On a related note, the V.E.F. today announced plans to strip Newberg of its coveted Neutrality Sphere. V.E.F. Chairman Ken Kanata had this to say. On the screen, KEN KANATA, a slickly-dressed man in dark sunglasses, looks at the camera. KEN KANATA The V.E.F.s mission is to promote the existence of hero-free zones around the globe. The law enforcement of our cities was developed to fight any threat, including that of supervillains. The presence of Gravitas, and his gravity-based powers, disqualifies Newberg from holding a Neutrality Sphere. That said, we wish Gravitas the best of luck in defending the citizens of Newberg from existing and future insidious forces. Ken starts to walk away, but turns back to the camera. KEN KANATA (CONTD) Also, his powers are really freaking sweet, right? JESSICA Really? Theyre actually endorsing this kid? Hes the reason Michaels in prison! IAN I mean, you have to admit, his powers are pretty cool. I mean, bending gravity? Thats just badass. Jessica strides to the door, grabbing her keys and purse.

44.

IAN (CONTD) Where are you going? JESSICA Get up. Were going to jail. EXT. CARNAVAS YARD- NOON Michael and Bryce stroll across the yard. Groups of prisoners are everywhere. Upon closer inspection, the prisoners are segregated by wound type- those with burns play basketball while those with plant-growths pick buds out of each others hair, like monkeys. MICHAEL This is surreal. BRYCE I feel out of place. Should we stick plants in our ears and go talk to those guys? Michael doesnt respond. His eyes are transfixed on a prisoner staring through a fence fifty feet away. His feet and hands are both the size of TIRES. This is ISAIAH SPRIG, early 40s. He dons a plain blue baseball cap. Michael and Bryce approach him. Isaiah doesnt notice. MICHAEL Hi. ISAIAH Woah! Isaiah turns on a dime and roundhouse kicks Michael in the chest. Michael flies back five feet. Bryce runs to help him up. MICHAEL Ow! What the hell, man. ISAIAH Oh, sorry. I thought you were one of the Greens. He notions to the plant-speckled inmates. ISAIAH (CONTD) Those bastards are always stealing my hat and making me chase them around. And as you can see, I dont get around too good anymore.

45.

BRYCE Yeah, your feet are massive! ISAIAH (chuckling) Well, thanks a lot. I have been working out. MICHAEL Mind if I ask what happened? ISAIAH Oh, you know. The usual. Stole a few Mickey Mantle rookie cards from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Tried to get away on foot, so Gorge-man decided to trip me up a bit. MICHAEL A superhero did this to you? ISAIAH Yup. BRYCE Cant you make them, um, normalsized again? ISAIAH Think I havent tried? I called every doctor under the sun. Even poured through the Elephant Mans entire life story looking for an answer, but no dice. Unfortunately, ole Gorge-mans powers only work one way. BRYCE So youre stuck like this for the rest of your life? ISAIAH Until Mini-man reveals himself, yup. MICHAEL Youre joking! Did Gorge-man get arrested? ISAIAH Are you kiddin me? The folks up in Cooperstown love him! (MORE)

46. ISAIAH (CONT'D) Sides, hes stopped some folks much worse than my sorry self with those enbiggening skills of his.

MICHAEL So youre not bitter or anything? ISAIAH Why bother? MICHAEL But have you ever looked at these other prisoners? Some of them are more deformed than you are. No offense. ISAIAH None taken. Listen, the way I see it, a few guys like me gotta get engorged to stop the real bad guys out there. MICHAEL Thats ridiculous, though. ISAIAH Yeah, well, even a sorry old con like me has some respect for those heroes. I sure couldnt do what they do. And without a bit of personal recognition too! Bryce stares at Isaiahs feet without a hint of shame. BRYCE Do you ever play soccer here? ISAIAH Sure do. Lets just say I play goalie. Bryce is ecstatic, while Michael studies Isaiah with a look of amusement mixed with disbelief. An announcement on the loud speaker interrupts them. LOUDSPEAKER Michael Townsend, you have a visitor.

47.

INT. CARNAVAS VISITING ROOM- MOMENTS LATER Michael enters the visiting room and immediately spies Ian and Jessica. A huge smile spreads across his face. He runs up to Jessica. They embrace. JESSICA Oh, Mike. I was actually kind of worried about you! MICHAEL Kind of worried! Wow, Im such a lucky guy. Jessica punches his shoulder playfully. IAN Hows the big house treating ya, bug guy? MICHAEL Not bad, hows freedom and moderate riches? IAN Better than prison! JESSICA Mike, we have to talk. They sit down at a cold metal table. MICHAEL Whats up? JESSICA Some bad news. For starters, cross the Sphere off our to-do list. The V.E.F. is taking it away. MICHAEL What? Why? JESSICA Thats the other bad news. Remember the kid who caught you? Gravitas? Well, hes kind of a big deal now. Crime down, loving citizens, the works. Michael rests his head in his hands. MICHAEL Shit.

48.

IAN Yup. JESSICA I hate to call it, but I think this might mean early retirement. MICHAEL But we just started. JESSICA I know, but unless we move to another city, I dont see any other options. Gravitas is getting more powerful. Pretty soon hell have more resources, and big jobs will be almost impossible to pull off. IAN Thats something Ive always wondered. How the hell do these guys always know that some convenience store in the middle of nowhere is being robbed and get there in time to stop it. JESSICA I dont know. Some superhero sixth sense? Who cares? All that matters is that they do know. Michael pays little attention to this discussion. He is deep in thought. MICHAEL (under his breath) We have to even the playing field. JESSICA What? MICHAEL We have to get Newberg back into equilibrium. Ian and Jessica exchange quizzical glances. MICHAEL (CONTD) Think about it. A superhero shows up and suddenly everythings out of whack. The police dont have anything to do and petty crooks, hell, even bigger players like us-

49.

IAN (laughing) -I dont think were quite big players yet, Michael. MICHAEL Either way,there are people in hereoh, this is a prison for criminals who got caught by heroes, by the way. JESSICA Ohh, I was wondering what was up with that guy. Michael turns to an inmate talking to his wife and daughter. The inmate holds a large bucket to catch the perpetual stream of water spewing from his right ear. MICHAEL Exactly, guys like that probably did nothing more than steal a TV, but they get screwed for life by these heroes who dont face consequences. JESSICA What are you suggesting? MICHAEL Well, my dear, I am suggesting that instead of taking out Gravitas ourselves, we outsource the job. IAN To who? MICHAEL A supervillain. JESSICA Woah, Mike. We are not getting involved with a supervillain. Do you have any idea what might happen? Michael points at the water-spewing inmate. MICHAEL Look at him. That guy will never be able to have a serious conversation with his daughter because shell just want to play with the water coming out of his ears. (MORE)

50. MICHAEL (CONT'D) Hell never be able to hold a job, except maybe at a water park. Just because some hero thought it was his divine right to stop him from stealing a television.

JESSICA I feel for the guy, I do, but messing with villains is serious business. Who knows what might happen if we invite some criminal mastermind into Newberg. You have to remember, my dad is mayor. MICHAEL How could I ever forget? Listen, well just be careful. Ian, think you could hack into the Supervillain Awareness Registry? IAN No problem. Buddy of mine from college works for the V.E.F. Should be able to get me the passcodes I need. MICHAEL Awesome. Once you have the names and locations, do whatever you can to get in contact with them. Call local crime bosses, check the phonebook, whatever. Just try to have a list of names ready by the time Bryce and I get out. IAN (bowing) Yes, oh master. Michael turns to Jessica. He grabs her hand. MICHAEL Come on, you know me. Do I ever take unnecessary risks? The camera pulls back as the three friends continue to talk. Cut to black. Subtitles on black screen: Six months later.

51.

EXT. NEWBERG- MORNING Establishing shot of Newberg. Shot of Silver Volkswagen driving along crowded streets. Voiceover of female radio host. RADIO HOST Six months have passed since the first appearance of Gravitas, and support for the young hero has shifted drastically. What started as mass frustration over the city losing its coveted Neutrality Sphere has shifted to what can only be described as hero worship. Newberg loves Gravitas, and according to interviews with the reclusive hero, hes here to stay. The car pulls up to a trashy burger restaurant. INT. DANGELOS BURGER HAVEN- SAME Michael, Bryce, Ian, and Jessica finish ordering and hand their menus to an enormous ITALIAN MAN whose hair-net barely contains his thick black curls. He walks away grunting. MICHAEL Oh God, am I excited for this. JESSICA So...how was the gruel? MICHAEL Well, at first I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was salad with pretty much every meal. IAN At first? MICHAEL Yeah, about a month in we found out that most of Plantaculars victims worked the kitchens. Beat. In unison, Ian dry heaves and Jessica spits her water out all over a busboy passing the table.

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INT. DANGELOS BURGER HAVEN- TWENTY MINUTES LATER An uneaten salad sits in front of Jessica. Ian slurps the dregs of a milkshake. Two large empty plates sit in front of Michael, who licks his fingers. Bryce is only on the third portion of his six plate meal. He chomps into a massive ONION RING. MICHAEL So, Ian. How are we doing on that little assignment we discussed. Ian puts down his empty milkshake. IAN Well, Ive been working pretty hard on this list. He pulls a folded sheet of paper from his pocket and slides it to Michael. IAN (CONTD) I got the first few names pretty easily. It is amazing how many really desperate supervillains there are out there, and I thought, since Gravitas is still pretty young and all, we might not need anyone really famous. Or talented. MICHAEL This list is pretty short. IAN Well, its not the size of the list that matters. Its the strength of its roster. MICHAEL Eroticator? IAN Yeah, found him when he got released from a prison in Anchorage. His power is to, um, well you can figure it out. JESSICA I hope he didnt exercise that power when he was in prison. Michael laughs.

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MICHAEL Okay, who else? Rhinoceraptor? IAN Yeah, got a big horn on his head, has two really sharp claws, and runs super fast. MICHAEL Powerful? IAN Um, well for his size, definitely. BRYCE What do you mean for his size? IAN Well, hes a... little person, but that doesnt make him any lessMICHAEL Really, Ian? Five months, and all you can come up with is a few villains in need of a reality show? IAN Its harder than it sounds, Mike. Most of the unrestricted villains out there are either locked up or in exile. The others dont exactly stay in the same place for long. JESSICA We did get one good lead, though. MICHAEL What is it? JESSICA Well, the V.E.F. tracks all meetings between multiple villains. For the past four years, in the same week each year, theres been a mass disappearance of villains from most major cities around the world andIAN -And theres no actual proof, but it looks like most of them end up in the same spot.

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BRYCE Where? IAN Fargo, North Dakota. MICHAEL Weird. So when is this gathering of evil? Maybe we could put out a villain casting call or something. IAN Way ahead of you, boss. It was actually three weeks ago, and lucky for us, my contact at the V.E.F. finally got fired. MICHAEL How is that lucky for us? IAN Hell hath no fury like an IT employee scorned. With the incentive of some loot from our first heistBRYCE -What? I was going to buy a go-kart with that money! IAN Dont worry, theres still enough for a go-kart and all the Lincoln Logs you could possibly want. But that loot helped me convince him to take a little vacation out to Fargo and post our request right in the middle of the convention hall. As Ian speaks, cut to the following shots: 1. A nerdy man of 30, BOB WIGGLER, puts an eye patch over his thick-rimmed glasses. He covers himself with a tattered cape to look more evil. It doesnt really work. 2. Bob stands in a Fargo alleyway, looking up at a large sign attached to an abandoned warehouse. The sign reads Fargo Fish Farmery. 3. Bob walks through a large gathering of ridiculouslydressed supervillains. A red-haired mans hair erupts in flame as he yells at a midget with a large horn. The midget scratches the red-head with massive claws. A woman in a pink cape flies overhead, tossing down sample bottles of poison.

55.

One lands in front of Bob, who picks it up and studies the crossbones on the label. He continues walking, glancing at a spiky-skinned teenager giving a speech on a podium. Whenever he pounds the podium, spikes shoot randomly out of his ears. 4. Bob approaches a large wooden post in the center of the warehouse. Other postings are already hung. One reads Can transform into wide assortment of monstrous shapes. Willing to jump out of enemies closets for $$$. Another reads Dreaming of your own private beach? Contact SharkMan. I will summon creatures of the sea to frighten off weak tourists from that perfect strip of sand! Bob posts his own sign. It simply states Wanted: Supervillain for Newberg, USA. Must be able to defeat hero in battle. Reward: Negotiable. Contact 555-234-4821. Cut back to DAngelos. MICHAEL Sounds great! When do these guys show up? IAN Well, Ive been contacted by four so far. I wanted to wait til you guys were out of prison to set anything up. MICHAEL So lets make this happen. Jess, think we could use the Green Family Farm for the day? JESSICA Should be fine. MICHAEL Alright, then. But Ian, please dont call Rhinoceraptor or Erotication. I dont want horns of any kind present during this process. EXT. GREEN FAMILY FARM- AFTERNOON Establishing shot of a pristine farm. Cows craze and horses prance. A large barn rests snugly in the center of the farm. INT. BARN- SAME Michael has a pad of paper ready and sits at a long makeshift table made out of logs and a plank of wood.

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Ian, with his laptop out, and Jessica sit on either side. Bryce plays with a yo-yo several feet away. They all face the barn doors. A horse sits in a stall several feet away. JESSICA So whos first? Ian glances at his laptop. IAN Should be...Vacator. BRYCE I wonder what he vacates? Bryce is interrupted by a knock on the door. MICHAEL Um, hello? A very short and round man in his mid 40s, VACATOR, slides the door open. The friends are silent. Vacator walks slowly towards the table, hands behind his back and looking straight down. Ten feet from the table, he stops, and slowly looks up. VACATOR First, for the full effect of my powers to be observed, I would request that you all take a deep breath. Right...now. Jessica looks at Michael and shrugs her shoulders. They all take deep breaths. VACATOR (CONTD) Now, allow me to present you with...my craft!!! The Vacator takes a deep breath and slowly draws his hands together. As he does so, there is an ENORMOUS WHOOSH in the barn. With a decisive CLAP, he brings his hands together. Michael looks questioningly at Vacator, who notices after a moment and exhales. VACATOR (CONTD) Oh, how silly of me, my power, as you may have realized, is to suck all of the oxygen out of an enclosed spBefore he can finish, he collapses in a heap on the floor. Simultaneously, the air floods back into the room with another WHOOSH. Bryce looks around, confused. Ian glances at Michael, clearly embarrassed.

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IAN Next! CUT TO: INT. BARN- SOON AFTER A thin man with faded stripes covering his skin, MAJOR FELINE, pulls four kittens out of his trench coat. He places them on the floor. JESSICA & BRYCE (in unison) Awww!!! Major Feline snaps his fingers and the four kittens morph into four EMACIATED TIGERS. The tigers look around, confused. They spot Major Feline, lick their lips, and promptly chase him out of the barn. MICHAEL Next! CUT TO: INT. BARN- SOON AFTER PITCH, a gypsy woman whose entire face is covered in musical note tattoos, stands before them. MICHAEL So, Pitch, is it? What have you got for us? Pitch pulls out a harmonica to practice her tone. She plays a very high note and matches it with her voice. MICHAEL (CONTD) (wincing) Oh, okay. She gets higher with each note. After two beats, the friends begin to look uncomfortable. Another note. Everyone covers their ears. Another note. Pitch begins walking around the room, touching items as she sings. Whenever she shrieks, the item she touches VIBRATES. She passes the horse just as she sings another note. The horse KICKS HER in the chest with its enormous hind legs. Pitch FLIES across the room and drops unconscious into a pile of hay.

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Bryce brings the horse a carrot, patting its head appreciatively. Michael buries his head in his hands. CUT TO: INT. BARN- SAME Michael, completely discouraged, twirls a pen in his fingers. Ian pops a couple Advil. JESSICA One more on the list. MICHAEL Im scared to even ask. JESSICA Well, according to the description, he can control electricity. Michael perks up. MICHAEL So youre saying this villain actually has a useful power? Off screen, we suddenly hear a dramatic voice, which we will soon find out belongs to the ELECTROCUTIONER. ELECTROCUTIONER Did somebody say...POWER??? From behind the askew barn door, a hand appears holding a small light bulb. The light bulb instantly lights up as the voice says, POWER. After a moment, the ELECTROCUTIONER appears. He is a slightly overweight man, mid 40s, wearing a monocle and tuxedo. After another moment, the light bulb SHATTERS, leaving only a small spark flickering between the Electrocutioners fingers. MICHAEL Alright, Im intrigued, Mr. Electrocutioner. ELECTROCUTIONER Thank you, dear sir. He bows very low. His monocle slides off, but he grabs it. MICHAEL What else can you show us?

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ELECTROCUTIONER You want...MORE??? IAN I mean, the light bulb was cool. But cant you, you know, amplify it a bit? The Electrocutioner looks around for a moment, caught off guard. He spies a WORK STATION in the corner of the barn. Several appliances are plugged into a socket. He quickly STRIDES to the socket, not breaking eye contact with Michael. ELECTROCUTIONER And for my next demonstration, I will show you how truly sorry I make those who...oppose me. MICHAEL (under his breath) Perfect. The Electrocutioner sparks a small current in his palm, and confidently grips the electrical socket. For a moment, nothing. Then, without warning, the socket sparks violently, and the Electrocutioner mutters Oh before EXPLODING THROUGH THE AIR, propelled by the electrical surge. He CRASHES through the barn roof with a SHRIEK, leaving behind a humanshaped hole. BRYCE Um, is he okay? MICHAEL Im sure hes fine. We, on the other hand, are screwed. IAN Ive got to say, Im really disappointed in the current state of the supervillain industry. JESSICA Maybe someone else will show up? MICHAEL Nobody else is coming. Were done. Either we leave everything and move to a different city or our criminal careers are finished. Awkward silence.

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JESSICA I just dont get it. Newbergs a really big city. Why dont more villains want to give it a shot here? MICHAEL I think we might just have to wait until it happens organically. To be honest, Ive never heard of a villain immigrating to a city they werent born in. I guess I just thought this would be different. Michael leans back in his chair. Jessica pats him on the shoulder. JESSICA Well figure something out. Dont worry, Mike. Beat. Without warning, Ians computer sparks violently and dies. IAN Oh, what the hell? I just got this thing. He begins tinkering with it. Instantly, the wooden plank the computer rests on begins to ROT. Holes and cracks appear on its previously solid surface. After a moment, The plank breaks in half. JESSICA What the hell? As if on cue, the pen in Jessicas hand begins to RUST. She shrieks and drops it. All around them, hay turns to dust. All four stand up and begin to back up. They stop. Silence. Their eyes dart nervously. From behind the barn door, A SHADOW EMERGES. It grows in size. A rail-thin man, mid 50s, steps through the door. He has a wispy mustache, a long black leather jacket with short sleeves, and WATCHES running up his entire left arm. This is THE TIMEIST. TIMEIST Im sorry if Im a bit...late. He checks his watches. TIMEIST (CONTD) But I just had to wait until the others had gone. (MORE)

61. TIMEIST (CONTD) One can never underestimate the importance of a strong entrance.

He speaks in a relatively high-pitched voice, with just a hint of a Russian accent. BRYCE Who the hell are you? TIMEIST (smiling) Ah, how rude of me. My full name is Alexis Drakoni Chernoya. But you may refer to me as The Timeist. By now you may have surmised my talents, but if not, allow me to give a further demonstration. He reaches into an interior jacket pocket and pulls out a small fabric pouch. He tips it into his hand and out falls a SEED. He places his other hand several inches above the seed and closes his eyes. In the span of five seconds, the following occurs: -The seed sprouts. Green leaves POP outwards, causing the seed to turn into a small fruit. -After a second, the small fruit grows in size and quickly becomes a FULL-SIZED APPLE. -The Apple continues to grow until it reaches maximum size at which point it begins to rot. It rots until it is simply a small brown core. The Timeist promptly discards it. Beat. MICHAEL So...you control time? TIMEIST I manipulate the effects of time on individual objects. MICHAEL Does that mean you can do that to anything? How about a person? TIMEIST (slightly annoyed) I can manipulate time on nonbiological matter. People and other organisms, however, present a bit more...complexity. (MORE)

62. TIMEIST (CONT'D) The apple progression you just witnessed is relatively simple. Uniform objects such as plants vary little, specimen to specimen. People, however, are entirely unique.

BRYCE Woah. TIMEIST Yes, woah. MICHAEL Do you have any experience with superheroes? TIMEIST I do not. I have, however, caused the complete destruction of government and civic function in several towns near my home. JESSICA I feel like wed have heard of something like that. TIMEIST Not where I am from, you wouldnt. MICHAEL Give us a minute, would you? TIMEIST Please, take your time. Michael turns to the other three, lowering his voice so The Timeist cant hear. MICHAEL What do you guys think? BRYCE Did you see what he did to that apple?! IAN And my computer?! This guy doesnt give a shit about what we say. I doubt hed listen even if we didnt give him the job.

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JESSICA Yeah, this guy is giving me major creep vibes. MICHAEL But come on. He could take out Gravitas like that. And then wed be good to go. JESSICA Yeah, but whos to say hell stop at Gravitas? You heard him, he caused the complete destruction of government function wherever he came from. I for one do not want to cause the complete destruction of Newberg. My dads the freaking mayor! MICHAEL What if we get some reassurance from him? Come on guys, this could mean the second coming of the Fearsome Foursome! Michael looks at Bryce. BRYCE Im with you, buddy. MICHAEL Great. Ian? IAN As long as you buy me a new laptop, yeah. Michael looks expectantly at Jessica. MICHAEL This is what weve always wanted, Jess. Jessica takes a deep breath and closes her eyes for a moment. JESSICA I still dont feel good about this. MICHAEL But...

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JESSICA But becoming a famous thief is what Ive always dreamed about. So, okay. As long as were careful. MICHAEL Awesome! Lets inform our guest of the judges decision. Michael turns back to The Timeist, who glances up nonchalantly. MICHAEL (CONTD) Alright, buddy, the job is yours. Take out Gravitas and youve got free reign of the city. Just try not to kill anyone, okay? The Timeists eyes flicker. He looks amused. TIMEIST Excellent. When do I begin? EXT. JACK MILES HOME- MORNING The sun rises over Newberg. The street is completely deserted. INT. JACKS BEDROOM- SAME Jacks alarm clock BEEPS loudly: 7:30a.m. His eyes open and he is out of bed. Jack begins his morning routine: pushups, sit-ups, lunges. He is noticeably buffer than he was six months ago. CUT TO: INT. JACKS BATHROOM- MOMENTS LATER Jack brushes his teeth with a Gravitas-branded electric toothbrush. He holds the toothbrush up next to his face, comparing his complexion with the plastic representation on the side of the toothbrush. CUT TO:

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INT. JACKS BEDROOM- MOMENTS LATER Jack pulls on his Gravitas uniform: purple Converses, dark jeans, a black hoodie. He tucks the GRAV helmet and a small POLICE SCANNER into his backpack. EXT. JACK MILES HOME- MOMENTS LATER Jack exits his house and jogs down the driveway. He spots the newspaper at the edge of the driveway and skillfully flings it to the front step with a wave of his finger. EXT. NEWBERG PUBLIC LIBRARY- MORNING Jack walks along the side of the five-story library, looking for something. After a moment, he spots what hes searching for and bends over to pull a LARGE RECYCLING BIN out from behind a tall bush. He climbs in and grips the edges tightly. The bin shakes before slowly floating upwards. EXT. NEWBERG PUBLIC LIBRARY ROOF- MOMENTS LATER The recycling bin sets down gently on the roof. Jack hops out and sits down on the edge of the roof, dangling his legs over the side. He chomps down on a bagel and tunes the police scanner. Jack looks across the city. He flicks his fingers and a poodle being walked on the sidewalk below begins to float. Its owner SHRIEKS and pulls it down. Jack smiles. Suddenly, the scanner hums to life. SCANNER Robbery in progress on 12th and Dunmore. In a second, Jack is gone, leaving behind a half-eaten bagel. INT. EXOTIC PET STORE (12TH AND DUNMORE)- SOON AFTER Two men in their mid 20s hold guns on the owners of the pet store. A third man collects snakes and lizards in large sacks. Police cruisers skid to a halt outside the store. ROBBER 1 (to policemen) Dont come one foot closer or the chameleon gets it!

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EXT. EXOTIC PET STORE- SAME Jack, helmet on, swaggers up to the officers. JACK Whats the problem, officers? A grizzled lieutenant turns around, looking relieved. LIEUTENANT Oh, Gravitas. Thank God youre here. It isnt pretty. Theyre inside and theyre already threatening the reptiles. JACK Armed? LIEUTENANT Definitely. JACK How many perps? LIEUTENANT Two, three? Who knows. Think you can handle it? Jack drops his backpack to the ground and strides towards the store. When he is several feet away, he summons a manhole cover, which floats towards him and stops in front of his chest. Jack snaps and the front doors SLAM OPEN. INT. EXOTIC PET STORE- SAME Jacks eyes dart around the room. One of the thieves spies him and instantly FIRES a shot. It WHIZZES past Jacks ear. He flinches. Too close. Jack glares back at the thief who fired. Theyre ten feet apart. The thief takes aim and fires again. Jacks fingers twitch and the bullet misses, instead SHATTERING a nearby fish tank. Jack looks pissed. JACK Want another shot? Go on. Take it! I dare you! The thief looks terrified but obliges. He fires and instantly JERKS back as the bullet reverses course and hits him. Blood splatters from his shoulder. JACK (CONTD) Bad idea. Whos next?

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The second thief pulls a knife and takes a step toward Jack. Jack makes a tsk noise. Behind the thief, a BABY ALLIGATOR slowly rises out of its tank. As it floats towards the oblivious thief, its mouth opens and closes. The thief cocks his arm to throw the knife but lets out a SCREAM as the alligator LATCHES itself onto his arm. He writhes around, screaming in pain. The final thief turns around and begins to run towards the back door. Jack SNAPS and an electrical wire wraps around his feet. He collapses. Jack surveys the scene. JACK (CONTD) Not bad, Jackiepoo. EXT. EXOTIC PET STORE- MOMENTS LATER Jack exits the shop as officers rush in. The lieutenant approaches him. LIEUTENANT How can we ever repay you, Gravitas? JACK The support of this city is all I need. Have a great day, Lieutenant. Jack grabs his backpack and starts to walk away but is ACCOSTED by several news crews with cameras. NEWS ANCHOR Gravitas! What happened in there?! CUT TO: EXT. ELECTRONICS SHOP- SAME The Timeist watches a wall of TVs through the glass window of an electronics shop. JACK (on TV) Just your average three-man job. They had firepower on their side but I had gravity. Its just a massive relief to get a few more criminals off the street. The Timeist smiles and walks away. CUT TO:

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EXT. EXOTIC PET STORE- MINUTES LATER Jack waves to the news crew and walks away. As he pulls his helmet off, he spots a hot dog stand and licks his lips. At that moment, the police scanner ERUPTS again. SCANNER We have a collapsed tree near the Northeast Corner of Morris Park. Injuries reported. All available units please respond, over. Jack looks at the hot dog stand longingly. JACK Dammit. EXT. MORRIS PARK- SOON AFTER Jack stops to catch his breath at the corner of the park. A police cruiser SCREECHES past him and skids to a stop next to a MASSIVE DEAD TREE. A red SUV, whose entire front has been crushed by the tree, emits plumes of smoke. Jack pulls on the GRAV helmet and approaches. He scans the area. The base of the tree is ROTTED away but Jack pays no attention. He runs up to the car door and looks inside. The driver is unconscious. A little girl in the passenger seat screams. JACK Hold on! Ill get you out of there! Jack backs up and gravity-pulls the car. It doesnt budge. He strains harder. The wheels roll back slightly. With one hand, Jack forms a fist aimed at the tree. The trunk SPLINTERS and breaks apart. With the other hand, he continues to pull the car. Slowly, it becomes dislodged from the giant tree. After a moment, it comes free and SKIDS backwards before coming to a stop. A GROUP OF FIREFIGHTERS rush in and pry open the doors. Jack collapses. FIREFIGHTER Nice job, Gravitas! JACK (panting) Thanks...a lot. Somewhere nearby, a woman screams. Jack looks up. JACK(CONTD) (still gasping for air) Are...you kidding me?

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A small apartment building half a block away BULGES ominously. Deafening CRACKS can be heard from the inside as the steel support beams strain. Jack lifts himself up and hobbles towards the building. Windows SHATTER as he approaches. Glass rains down on the street as Jack reaches the front door. A sign reads Foreclosed but Jack doesnt notice. He opens the front door and sticks his head inside. JACK (CONTD) Hello? Anyone there? A strange male voice calls out. MALE VOICE Over here! In the back! Jack rushes down the hallway. The ceiling bulges. JACK Where are you? MALE VOICE In here! Jack kicks a door in. It doesnt budge. He cries out in pain. JACK Son of a... He turns the knob and throws the door open. An unconscious women lies SPRAWLED OUT on the floor. Rubble covers her. Jack approaches but is limping badly. He grabs her shoulder and shakes her. JACK (CONTD) Wake up! We have to get out of here now! MALE VOICE (from behind Jack) I dont think shell be waking up anytime soon. Jack spins around. The Timeist stands five feet away, just inside a door leading to an outdoor alleyway. JACK Who the hell are you? TIMEIST Im the one whos going to prematurely end your illustrious career.

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Jack struggles to point his finger towards The Timeist. TIMEIST (CONTD) (shaking his finger) Uh uh uh. A thin layer of mold spreads across the ceiling. Plaster crumbles. Chunks of debris CRASH around Jack. TIMEIST (CONTD) One small flick of my finger...and youll find yourself under a pile of pain that even you can not float your way out of. Jack does his best to stop the falling debris, but only deflects some of it. Sweating heavily, he grimaces under the weight of the debris. TIMEIST (CONTD) In just a few moments I am going to leave. You will be free to save this young woman and leave this building unharmed. Well, mostly. He twitches his finger again and more debris falls. TIMEIST (CONTD) Unfortunately, your career as a hero is now over. JACK Like hell it is! TIMEIST (ignoring Jack) From the moment you step out that door, you will never again lift a finger to protect this city. No more crime fighting, no more acts of strength, no more glory. If for some reason you decide not to obey my command, you will find that incidents such as this... He nods at the collapsing ceiling. TIMEIST (CONTD) ...will become a bit more...commonplace. And if you for some reason feel that I am joking, people will begin to...suffer.

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Large pieces of plaster now fall all around Jack. One hits his shoulder, and a small pile of floating plaster accumulating above him suddenly CRASHES down. TIMEIST (CONTD) Do we have an understanding? Jack doesnt answer. He grabs the girl and begins to drag her towards the door. The Timeist flicks his fingers and the wood floor beneath the girl rots INSTANTLY. She slides down through the rotted hole. Jack struggles to keep hold of her, managing to get a solid grip just as she slides through the hole. Jack looks up, furious and fighting back tears. JACK Yes. TIMEIST Good. I thought youd be reasonable about this. And just for assurance, give me your wallet. In case you decide to get...heroic again in the future. Jack struggles to reach into his pocket. He grabs his wallet and tosses it to the Timeist. TIMEIST (CONTD) Now if youll excuse me, Id prefer not to be here when this building inevitably collapses. The Timeist snaps his fingers and the sound of SNAPPING STEAL BEAMS permeates through the apartment. He turns, exits through the door, and disappears. Jack takes a deep breath and pulls the women through the hole. After several agonizing moments, he manages to drag her through the alley door. EXT. MORRIS PARK- SAME A group of firefighters, policemen, and civilians watch in horror as the apartment building collapses. Giant PLUMES of smoke erupt through the broken windows as asphalt and dust rain down onto the street. A half block away and unnoticed by the crowd, Jack peaks around a corner and limps away. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- SAME Michael, Jessica, Bryce, and Ian watch the television as the apartment building crumbles. They are silent.

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NEWS REPORTER Oh my God! I dont know if youre getting this, Tom, but the apartment building that Gravitas entered not three minutes ago has collapsed. Smoke and debris are everywhere. I just dont see how anyone could have survived that. Michael turns off the television. Beat. MICHAEL (in shock) Well, problem solved. BRYCE I hope nobody else was in that building. That looked kind of dangerous. JESSICA That poor kid. Hes just...dead? We killed him? IAN We didnt do anything. Being a superheros a dangerous job. He knew what he was getting himself into. JESSICA Or maybe he was just a dumb teenager who wanted to help out and never thought that some asshole time-manipulating supervillain would crush a building over his head. Ever think of that? MICHAEL Jess, we all agreed. JESSICA We agreed nobody would die! MICHAEL We dont know if hes dead. JESSICA Did you see that building? Of course hes dead! From off-screen, we hear the Timeist.

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TIMEIST Hes not dead. The four friends heads snap around. The Timeist stands in the doorway. He holds up Jacks wallet and tosses it to Michael, who opens it. MICHAEL Jack Miles...Birthdate June 2, 1993. Shit, hes only 17? JESSICA Youre sure hes alive? TIMEIST I am. JESSICA But hes not going to be a hero anymore? TIMEIST I do not need to kill to accomplish my goals, my dear. Young idealistic fools such as Jack Miles need only the realization that their petty dreams and sense of righteousness come with certain consequences. I simply unveiled those consequences to him. BRYCE (to Michael) Dude, this guy is really creepy. Michael nods. IAN So what are you going to do now? TIMEIST I will stay. My presence may no longer be called for in this particular matter, but there are others yet who must be brought to a state of reality. MICHAEL Well, whatever that means, thank you. That was honestly a lot easier than I expected. TIMEIST I do not require thanks.

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MICHAEL What if he comes back? How can we contact you? TIMEIST He will not, but if you must speak with me, reach me at this number. He pulls a small card out of his jacket and hands it to Michael. TIMEIST (CONTD) Farewell. He spins on the spot and walks through the door, not bothering to close it. BRYCE Seriously, can we discuss how creepy that dude is? Hes totally weirder than that baby blanket I found in the slaughterhouse last year. IAN What? What is wrong with you? Why were you in a slaughterhouse? MICHAEL He thought thats where he could get the freshest meat, okay? Guys, can we just think about this for a second? All of our problems are gone. Just like that. And with all the criminals that are going to be flooding the system now, nobodys going to know what the heck hit them when we pull off the heist of the decade. Michael turns to Jessica, who smiles bashfully. JESSICA Okay, that wasnt as bad as I thought. MICHAEL Exactly! Its what I always tell you- never judge a creepy Russian supervillain by his wispy mustache. I thought we were past that as a society.

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BRYCE Woah. Idea. MICHAEL Yeah? BRYCE Yeah. What if we got the Timeist in on our next heist? He could just rot the vault door off its hinges. IAN Rust. BRYCE Exactly! MICHAEL (thinking) I dont know. I did hire that guy, but even I think hes a bit...off. BRYCE But what if we want to rob somewhere big? Like the Newberg Gold Reserve. Even you cant expect the four of us to pull that off alone. MICHAEL How about this: we do a couple moderate-sized jobs without getting killed and then we call him in for the big stuff. BRYCE Newberg Gold Reserve? MICHAEL Newberg Gold Reserve. EXT. JACK MILES HOME- AFTERNOON Jack runs to his front door and throws it open. INT. JACK MILES BEDROOM- MOMENTS LATER Jack enters his room, slams his door, and throws his backpack onto the bed. He collapses on the floor. His arms shake and his eyes well up with tears. Pencils on his desk and socks on the floor hover several inches off the ground. The backpack slides off the bed and brushes his shoulder.

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Jack unzips it furiously and takes out the helmet. He stares at it. His face reflects off the surface. Beat. He HURLS it at the far wall and it cracks in two. INT. NEWBERG ANTIQUES STORE- EVENING Bryce kicks open the only other customers dressed in disguise. elderly Asian man in front door of a large antique store. The there are Bryce and Michael, both Bryce makes his way to the cashier, an his 70s.

BRYCE Your antiques...are what I seek! Michael shakes his head disapprovingly. Bryce spies a security camera. He pulls out a DART GUN and SHOOTS the camera. The dart pathetically DINGS off of the camera lens, leaving no damage. The cashier begins to scream in Chinese. Bryce looks confused. BRYCE (CONTD) What? No, I dont- Listen, I just want some of your antiques. The man continues babbling in Chinese. Unsure of what to do, Bryce waves the dart gun in his face. BRYCE (CONTD) Hey, you, shush. The man continues screaming. BRYCE (CONTD) Alright, alright, smart guy. Lets go in the back. He motions his gun towards the back of the store. BRYCE (CONTD) There! Go! He pushes the man through a door towards the stores rear. Michael and Ian pull burlap bags out of their jackets and immediately start filling them with antiques. IAN Not the greatest people person, is he? Bryce emerges from the back of the store.

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BRYCE Hey, you try keeping composure when someone is babbling at you in Chinese. Its confusing! He turns to Michael. BRYCE (CONTD) Hes tied up, by the way. MICHAEL Got the tape? Bryce pulls the security video out of his jacket. MICHAEL (CONTD) Alright, lets skedaddle. EXT. NEWBERG ANTIQUES STORE- SAME Jessica sits in her silver Volkswagen outside of the Antique Store. She checks her watch. On cue, Michael, Bryce, and Ian exit the store carrying bags stuffed full of antiques. They enter the car. MICHAEL Go. Jessica swerves away. In the backseat, Bryce pulls a notebook out from between the seats and flips through it. He stops halfway through and pulls out a pen, marking the page. Ian, sitting next to him, leans over to see. IAN Hey, whats that? BRYCE Nothing, mind your own business. Bryce turns away, but Ian GRABS the book and begins flipping through. IAN Are you kidding me? Is this a book composed entirely of one-liners you want to say? Wow, when did you do all of this?! BRYCE Hey, give that back.

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IAN (imitating Bryce) This wedding takes the cake...and unfortunately for you, so do we. You were actually planning on stealing some poor couples wedding cake?! BRYCE No! I was just planning for any situation. What if our archnemesis is getting married? Do you want him to have his cake and eat it too? MICHAEL Dude, we dont even have an archnemesis. BRYCE Yeah, well...not yet. JESSICA Would you guys stop teasing him? Can we please just consummate this heist? The car drives down a busy Newberg street. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- LATER THAT NIGHT The friends sort the antiques. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- LATE NIGHT Bryce hands several antique candlesticks to a MORBIDLY OBESE MAN, 50s, as Michael accepts a large stack of cash. They wave to him as he leaves. Michael strides to the coffee table and adds this cash to the already growing pile. EXT. NEWBERG LIBRARY- AFTERNOON Establishing shot of the Newberg library. INT. NEWBERG LIBRARY- SAME Ian enters the Mens room.

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INT. NEWBERG LIBRARY BATHROOM- SAME Ian pulls a wrench out of his backpack and kneels down under a sink. He viciously twists several pipes and water BURSTS out, soaking him instantly. INT. NEWBERG LIBRARY- MOMENTS LATER A soaked Ian walks up to the circulation desk. A mousy female LIBRARIAN, 16, stares at him. LIBRARIAN Oh my God. What happened? JESSICA (douche accent) That. Damn. Sink. It is flooding everywhere. It just ruined my best Polo, and Mikeys Bachelor party is tonight. He motions to the bathroom. Water floods out under the door. LIBRARIAN Oh shit, I am so sorry! Ill get someone on that right now. She turns around and whispers to her MANAGER. MANAGER (on the loudspeaker) Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for any inconvenience, but due to some plumbing issues, we are going to be closing several minutes early tonight. Please collect your belongings and exit. Quickly. Ian leads the manager to the bathroom. A moment later, Jessica, Bryce, and Michael emerge from a row of shelves and make their way towards the back of the library. INT. NEWBERG LIBRARY (RARE BOOKS SECTION)- SAME The three friends walk through a door to the RARE BOOKS SECTION. Michael locks them inside. Everywhere, ancient books are housed in glass display cases. Bryce approaches a case off screen. Michael and Jessica stop at a particularly thick glass case housing an early copy of A Tale of Two Cities. JESSICA Wow, $300,000 for that?

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MICHAEL Yep, and another $200,000 for the first edition Almanac over there. He motions to Bryce who is smacking a glass case with a HAMMER, making small dents. Bryce looks up. BRYCE Almost there! He gives a thumbs up. Michael returns it. MICHAEL Maybe I shouldnt have given him his choice of tools. JESSICA Hey, nobody else can hear it. Let him have some fun. Jessica and Michael both put on thick leather gloves. MICHAEL (laughing) Pretty easy seeing as everything is fun for Bryce. Hold this. He hands her a thick test-tube. He pulls out a second testtube. MICHAEL (CONTD) Alright, on three. One, twoJESSICA -wait! Wont it eat through the book once it gets past the glass. MICHAEL Well, if all goes as planned, itll only get through about half an inch, and then we go to town like Bryce over there. JESSICA If all goes as planned? MICHAEL Yeah. Dont worry, I took Chemistry in college. JESSICA I seem to recall that not turning out so great for our professors hand.

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MICHAEL Yeah well, at least I didnt fail Home Ec. in high school. JESSICA I told you that in confidence! You know I suck atMICHAEL -three. Michael tips his test-tube and Jessica follows his lead. The green and purple liquids mix together and begin FOAMING. JESSICA -Baking. MICHAEL Well, you know- another heist and we may be able to afford a cooking teacher who can teach even you. JESSICA If I dont poison him first. MICHAEL Maybe I should supervise just in case. You know, for the teachers safety. JESSICA Of course. Their eyes connect for a beat. BRYCE (whistling) Yoo hoo. Frick and frack. You ready? Lets blow this book stand. Michael and Jessica break eye contact. MICHAEL Hey, its ready. The glass is corroded and visibly thinner. Michael reaches into his backpack and pulls out a crowbar. MICHAEL (CONTD) (to Jessica) Would you like to do the honors? JESSICA Hell yes.

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She takes the crowbar and SMASHES the edge of the glass. It cracks. She smashes again and it breaks away completely. She reaches into the case carefully and pulls out the book. Michael is ready, covering it with an oversized plastic bag. MICHAEL Shall we? EXT. NEWBERG LIBRARY- MOMENTS LATER Michael, Jessica, and Bryce exit the library with full backpacks and hop down the stairs to the street. Ian, still completely soaked, leans against the Volkswagen. BRYCE Car trouble? IAN (mocking Bryce) Car trouble? JESSICA Hey. Put this on. I dont want you dripping all over my baby. She throws him a large poncho. Ian puts it on and gets into the car. The other three enter, and the car skids away. IAN So, success? MICHAEL Yes, sir. Thats two successful heists in a week. Id say thats gotta be some kind of record. JESSICA Yeah, well, the police have bigger problems right now. I think were off their radar for the time being. At that moement, three PATROL CARS, sirens BLARING, zoom by their car in the opposite direction. IAN Not completely off. EXT. NEWBERG ROAD- LATER THAT NIGHT The car sits next to an alley. Jessica checks her reflection in the mirror. Bryce scribbles in his notebook.

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Ian wrings out his wet shirt through the window. Michael approaches from the alley and enters. MICHAEL Alright, lets go. BRYCE You got it? Michael holds up a small briefcase and fanny pack. MICHAEL Yes, sir. Big money. IAN (laughing hysterically) Is that a fanny pack? Did we steal from 1994? MICHAEL Hey, he couldnt fit it all in one bag. Half a million dollars is bigger than youd expect. Plus, I requested no Hundreds. Too easy to trace. Ian and Bryce exchange glances and burst into laughter simultaneously. Jessica gives Michael a reassuring look but can not contain herself and also bursts out laughing. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- NEXT MORNING Michael sits at his dining room table, reading the Newberg Gazette. Bryce enters with an enormous plate of food. MICHAEL Nice job last might, buddy. BRYCE (yawning) You too. Bryce sits down and eats an entire pancake in one bite. BRYCE (CONTD) (mouth full of food) So, that was two successful jobs. Does that mean its time to pull out the big guns? MICHAEL What do you mean? The Timeist?

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BRYCE Yeah, youre the one who said we cant pull off the Gold Reserve by ourselves. Not yet at least. MICHAEL To be honest, I was kind of hoping that after those last two jobs, you guys would forget about that guy. He was useful for Gravitas, yeah, but were a four person team. Five is just...one too many. But Michael laughs. MICHAEL Yeah, gold is cool. BRYCE So cool! Come on, you promised. Michael knows hes already lost. MICHAEL Did I? BRYCE You definitely did. And its just one gig. And itll help establish us as the best thieves in Newberg. No question. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT (UPSTAIRS)- SAME Michael stares at The Timeists business card. In the corner is a GREEN HOURGLASS. A phone number is listed. Michael takes a deep breath, picks up his phone, and dials. EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING- SAME Establishing shot of Newbergs tallest building, a mammoth skyscraper with a MASSIVE CLOCK TOWER resting on top. Zoom in to reveal The Timeist sitting on the rooftop balcony. He smokes a long pipe with one hand and twirls his mustache with the other. A door stands ajar behind him. Suddenly, a PHONE inside rings. He rests the pipe on the edge of the balcony and walks to the door. BRYCE all that gold!

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INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING ROOF- SAME The Timeist enters a dismally-lit room with no ceiling. Above him, the rusted gears of the massive clock crank and turn. The interior of this room is incredibly shined, as though The Timeist turned back time on the metal. He walks to a large wooden desk and picks up a cell phone. A cork board above the desk shows various newspaper clippings: the Mayor being reinstated into office; schedules of political speeches and events; a map showing important locations in Newberg. Intercut: Timeists Lair/Michaels Loft TIMEIST Yes? MICHAEL (V.O.) Hello? Is this, uh, The Timeist? TIMEIST (smiling) Ah, Mr. Townsend. What can I do for you? MICHAEL (V.O.) Well, we werent sure if you were still, you know, in town. TIMEIST I am. MICHAEL (V.O) Oh, great! Listen, seeing as youre a supervillain and all... TIMEIST Supervillain? Oh, you humble me. MICHAEL (V.O.) Right, well, the crew and I were wondering if you would be interested in helping us pull off a pretty big job. I think youTIMEIST -just tell me the time and location of the crime. I will be there. EXT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE- MORNING Subtitles: Two weeks later.

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Michael stands across the street from the Newberg Gold Reserve, leaning against Jessicas Volkswagen. He checks his watch and looks around. No sign of The Timeist MICHAEL Where the hell is he? Jessica sticks her head out of the car window. JESSICA Are you sure you told him the right time? MICHAEL Yeah, I said 10 a.m. sharp. Seriously, youd think someone called The Timeist would be on time. Suddenly, a woman SCREAMS and runs out of the Reserve. BRYCE Well, looks like he decided to make his grand entrance without us. MICHAEL Son of a...Okay, people, lets go. Masks ready. Now! The three others jump out of the car, ski masks in hand. All four race across the street and into the Gold Reserve. INT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE (LOBBY)- MOMENTS LATER Michael enters first, pulling on his ski mask as he crosses through the doorway. The others follow suit. Ten employees and civilians, hands in the air, huddle in the corner. BRYCE Everyone, hands up! IAN (to Bryce) Dude, are you blind? Their hands are already up. Bryce adjusts his ski mask. BRYCE Oh, right. Sorry, I had it on backwards.

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Michael strides forward, pulling his trusty dart gun out of his pocket. MICHAEL Where the hell is he? Another scream from a hallway to the left. JESSICA I have a vague idea. MICHAEL Okay, Green and Yellow- you stay here. Red, come with me. Jessica follows Michael down the hallway as Bryce and Ian approach the hostages. INT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE (HALLWAY)- SAME Michael and Jessica sprint down the hallway. JESSICA If that son of a bitch hurt someone. MICHAEL Yeah, I know. They reach the end of the hallway. To the right- nothing. To the left- the door to the Vault room. They look at each other and race to the left. INT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE (VAULT)- MOMENTS LATER The door bursts open. Michael and Jessica skid to a stop. The Timeist stands before them, surveying the massive steel VAULT DOOR. He leans against a long black cane. A guard lies unconscious on the floor. A large cinderblock, stained red with blood, lies next to him. TIMEIST (without turning) Im sure your sense of morality is being twisted raw right now, but please relax. He is still alive. MICHAEL What the hell happened to the plan? We were supposed to come in together. Like we discussed!

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TIMEIST Yes, but I just couldnt resist. Excuse me for a moment. The Timeist raises his arms and points them at the vault door. He flexes his muscles and waves his arms from left to right. The door bulges and strains as the steel frame rusts. After a few moments, the door is dark brown and has rusted completely. TIMEIST (CONTD) Hmm. MICHAEL Whats wrong? TIMEIST This may require a bit more...ingenuity than I had anticipated. He raises his arms again and this time moves his hands from right to left. The door screams in protest but begins to become less rusty. After a moment, the door SHUDDERS ominously. After another beat, small fractions of the nowshiny door begin to chip away. A cloud of gas SQUEEZES through the steel and disperses, leaving pure iron ore. The ore crumbles until all that remains is a small pile of iron. TIMEIST (CONTD) Perfect. Behind the pile of iron are ROWS AND ROWS OF GOLD BARS. Michael steps over the iron and rushes in. Instead of grabbing the gold, he runs to a small table in the corner and picks up an enormous pile of GOVERNMENT BONDS. He stashes them into his bag. JESSICA No gold? MICHAEL Are you kidding? Do you know how heavy it is? JESSICA Come on, at least one bar. Michael stares at here for a beat and runs back into the room. He returns with a single bar. MICHAEL You are impossible.

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JESSICA I know. The Timeist watches this exchange with great interest. A smile grows on his face. Suddenly, SIRENS blare outside. MICHAEL Oh, shit! How the hell did they get here so fast? JESSICA (to the Timeist) You! Whats going on? TIMEIST Well, to be perfectly clear with you both, I have no interest in gold. JESSICA Then why did you agree to help us? TIMEIST I helped you because I wanted to announce my arrival with a...whats the word...bang. MICHAEL What do you mean your arrival? TIMEIST Well, now that Gravitas is gone, I will be...replacing him. You see, this city entered a state of hyperrealistic bliss when he arrived. These people need to learn that nothing is perfect. Nothing can stay the same forever. Sooner or later they must cope with the reality. MICHAEL What reality? The Timeists eyes sparkle. TIMEIST That chaos and destruction are the purest forms of existence. That nothing is safe. Not even these peoples petty dreams of tranquility and equilibrium.

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Without warning, The Timeist exits the room, leaving Michael and Jessica speechless. INT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE- MOMENTS LATER Michael and Jessica run into the lobby. Ian and Bryce look around, confused. IAN Guys, we are screwed. The cops are outside! MICHAEL Where is he? IAN Who? MICHAEL The Timeist! BRYCE He just blew past us. Went right through the door. Michael runs towards the doors. JESSICA Michael, wait! The cops! Michael skids to a halt right next to the front door, which stands ajar. He peers around the corner. EXT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE- SAME The Timeist stands twenty feet from the door, surrounded by a semi-circle of police cars. At least fifteen POLICE OFFICERS, guns drawn, surround him. POLICE OFFICER 1 Alright, buddy. Hands where I can see them! Slow and steady wins the race. TIMEIST Yes, of course, officer. The Timeist raises his hands slowly. Instantly, the guns in the officers guns turn to RED DUST and their cars begin to screech as they rust. The officers back away, taking refuge behind their cars. The wheels BURST simultaneously.

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As the cars erode, their tanks begin to leak. Gas LEAKS onto the ground, forming into large puddles. An officer grabs his POLICE BATON and rushes The Timeist, who skillfully sidesteps the officer and latches onto his throat. Instantly, WRINKLES APPEAR on the officers face. He gasps for air, struggling to free himself. After a beat, he stops fighting and lies limp. His face is that of an elderly man. The Timeist looks down, disgusted, and walks away from the man. Michael looks on in disbelief. The Timeist spies a homeless man smoking a cigarette ten feet away. TIMEIST (CONTD) Would you happen to have a light? The man shrieks, drops a book of matches, and SPRINTS in the opposite direction. The Timeist walks over and picks up the matches. He lights one, places it on the hood of a police cruiser, and retreats twenty feet. He turns and points to the match, which instantly FLAMES UP. The fire eats through the match in a fraction of a second. The match breaks in two and a small piece, still alight, falls to the ground. Michael hides behind the door just in time. The match hits the gas and a MASSIVE FIREBALL engulfs the police cars. CUT TO: INT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE- SAME Michael runs from the door as the windows EXPLODE. MICHAEL Weve got to go. Now! JESSICA What the hell just happened? MICHAEL I dont know, but when he said he couldnt use his powers on people, he lied. Come on! Lets move! They all rush for an emergency exit on the other side of the building. In a moment, they are gone. EXT. NEWBERG GOLD RESERVE- SAME The Timeist smiles at the destruction. He walks down the street towards City Hall, which looms in the distance.

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INT. MAYORS OFFICE (CITY HALL)- MORNING MAYOR GREEN, a well-dressed man of 60, sits in a plush red chair at an antique desk. A photo of him, his wife, and Jessica sits atop his desk. He presses a button on a small black box. MAYOR GREEN Nancy, is my 11 oclock here yet? No response. MAYOR GREEN (CONTD) Nancy? The mayor suddenly falls to the ground as his chair and desk SPLINTER to pieces. He hits the ground with a THUD. MAYOR GREEN (CONTD) What in the... TIMEIST Im sorry for the disturbance, Mr. Mayor, but your 11 oclock has been cancelled. In fact, all of your appointments have been cancelled. Mayor Green stands up, brushing splinters off his pants. The Timeist stands in the doorway. MAYOR GREEN And who the ruddy hell are you? Behind his back, the mayor dials his cell phone: 9-1-1. TIMEIST I am the man who is going to bring this city into a new state of disorder. The Timeist notices the photo of the Mayor and Jessica, now lying CRACKED on the floor. He smiles. INT. VILLAIN ELIMINATION FORCE (V.E.F.) NORTHEAST- AFTERNOON A futuristic debriefing room bustles with military personnel. Digital maps line the walls, displaying names and recent locations of many supervillains. A phone operator, HARRY LIPSCOMB, watches a small television. His phone rings. Intercut: Newberg Gold Reserve/V.E.F. HQ

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HARRY V.E.F. Response Force. This is Harry. POLICE OFFICER 2 (V.O.) (screaming) Yeah, this is Officer Jones, Newberg PD. Some crazy guy with a cane just took out half my fleet! HARRY Powers? POLICE OFFICER 2 (V.O.) Yeah, he made all our cars explode! And he killed one of my men just by touching him. Its like he made him old or something! HARRY Alright, possible powers: telekinesis, time manipulations, fire creation. Several villain matches, none definite. POLICE OFFICER 2 (V.O.) Yeah, well whoever he is, we need you to send your people now! EXT. CITY HALL- SAME A third floor window SHATTERS outwards. The Timeist appears in the window, dragging Mayor Green by the collar. The Timeist spots a tree across the street and ROTS the base. The tree FALLS towards City Hall. Its tip lands just inches below the base of the window, forming a perfect ladder for The Timeist to walk down. EXT. SKY OUTSIDE NEWBERG- SAME Two ATTACK HELICOPTERS labeled V.E.F. hurdle towards Newberg, green-tipped missiles loaded under the wings. EXT. NEWBERG ROAD- SAME Jessicas Volkswagen BARRELS down the street. Inside, the friends look completely shell-shocked. The radio plays in the background.

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IAN What the hell do we do? I cant go to prison. They dont have computers there! JESSICA Shh! She reaches over and turns up the radio. RADIO ...receiving word that Mayor Thomas Green has been abducted by the same man responsible for this mornings massacre at the Newberg Gold Reserve. JESSICA My dad! Jessica turns the steering wheel sharply and the car SWERVES around, before speeding off in the opposite direction. MICHAEL Jess, calm down, we dont even know where he is. RADIO The suspect was last scene just outside of City Hall. EXT. CITY HALL- SEVERAL MINUTES LATER The Timeist attempts to stop passing cars, but they simply swerve past him. Aggravated, he rusts some while others get away. He literally DRAGS Mayor Green along. The Timeist stops. A low rumbling can be heard. He looks to the sky. Several blocks away, the V.E.F. helicopters approach. One deploys a green-tipped missile, which WHIZZES just past The Timeists head and detonates on a parked car. Instead of an explosion, a green gel erupts, forming a bubble around the car and freezing it in place. The Timeist aims his cane at the nearest chopper and pulls a concealed trigger. A HARPOON erupts from the end and shoots like a missile. We follow the harpoon as it approaches the first chopper. It EXPLODES through the window and IMPALES the pilot. The chopper goes into free fall and crashes into a building, sending a fireball into the air. TIMEIST One down.

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The second chopper fires another missile, which misses again, this time forming a bubble around an erupting fire hydrant. It fires again directly at The Timeist, but he rusts the shell as it approaches, causing it to detonate prematurely. A harmless GREEN MIST washes over him. He points his cane at the chopper and fires another harpoon. It LODGES in one of the missile tunnels, causing a missile to detonate and COVERING the helicopter in the green gel. The chopper CRASHES directly in front of the Timeist. Several V.E.F. agents move around inside, unable to escape. The Timeist grabs the Mayor and continues his way down the road, but Jessicas Volkswagen SKIDS to a stop in front of him. Michael jumps out and aims the dart gun at him. The Timeist, a bit flustered, pulls Mayor Green closer, grabbing him by the neck. TIMEIST (CONTD) I would not pull that trigger, Mr. Townsend. MICHAEL What, are you going to age him too? TIMEIST Ah, so you did see my special abilities. I apologize for not making them known sooner. You see, I have to be in close... He tightens his grip on Mayor Greens neck. TIMEIST (CONTD) ...contact with human victims for my skills to work. JESSICA Just let my dad go! Mayor Green looks up, barely conscious. MAYOR GREEN Jess? TIMEIST Ah, yes. The family connection. He flexes his arm and wrinkles appear on Mayor Greens face. JESSICA (crying) Stop! Ill do whatever you want, just dont hurt him.

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TIMEIST Well, how about a little trade? The elder Green for the younger. MICHAEL Go to hell! JESSICA Mike, its okay. MICHAEL Absolutely not! Are you crazy? Hell kill you. Jessica walks towards The Timeist. JESSICA I dont care. This is all our fault. I have to make this right. TIMEIST Shes a smart girl, isnt she, Michael. I assume that is why you are in love with her. JESSICA What? TIMEIST Its quite obvious, you stupid girl. Havent you seen how he looks at you? Its extraordinary really. Something I have not felt myself in a long time. MICHAEL Shut up, you bastard! Jess, stop walking! TIMEIST You are no longer in control of the situation, Mr. Townsend. It is time to accept that and let her go. Jessica reaches The Timeist. He immediately knocks her unconscious with his cane and throws her over his shoulder, all without letting go of Mayor Green. Michael lunges forward, but Bryce grabs him. MICHAEL You son of a bitch. Let her go!

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TIMEIST No, Mr. Townsend. I need you to learn something here today. I need you to understand that no matter how much you will something to be, no matter how...well conceived or just your intentions, the world owes you nothing. Your dreams are simply an attempt to control a cruel and unrelenting natural disorder. Young Gravitas learned that he can not simply expect to protect the world, free of personal consequence, and now you too will learn. The world owes you nothing, Mr. Townsend. Maybe losing Ms. Green will convince you of that. Now, if you would back away from your vehicle. The friends back away. The Timeist throws Jessica and her father into the back seat, hops in, and skids away. Michael stares helplessly as they disappear around a corner. Sirens blare in the distance. Michael, Bryce, and Ian run down a side street. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- LATE AFTERNOON Michael sits on his couch, a glass of scotch sweating in his hand. Bryce stares out the window as Ian watches the news. MICHAEL We cant just sit here. Weve got to do something! IAN What can we do, Mike? We have absolutely no idea where they are. MICHAEL We should be looking at least! Theres only so many places they could be. IAN Dude, there are six million people in this city. MICHAEL Well, there has to be some way to do this. Think, guys!

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BRYCE Wait, you know how they always trace calls when someone gets kidnapped in movies? MICHAEL Yeah. BRYCE Well, why dont we call The Timeist and trace the call to wherever hes hiding. Michael turns to Ian. IAN I dont know, Mike. I dont really have the right tech for something like that. MICHAEL But is it possible? IAN I mean, its possible, but with what Ive got here, Id need at least two minutes to get a lock. MICHAEL Well, its worth a shot. CUT TO: INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- MINUTES LATER Ian sits cross-legged at the coffee table. The cell phone is plugged into his computer and a complicated program runs on the desktop. IAN Alright, weve only got one shot at this. Dial when youre ready. Michael dials. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING ROOF- SAME Jessica, chained to the walls, struggles to move as The Timeist ties up her father. Suddenly, a knock on the door. The Timeist opens the door to the roof. Three THICK EUROPEAN MEN stand there.

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TIMEIST Boris! Andrei! Anton! You came. The largest of the men, BORIS, enters first. ANDREI, short and balding, enters second, followed by ANTON, who looks like Boriss twin. BORIS (thick Russian accent) How could we resist the opportunity to work together again? ANDREI (thick Russian accent) Yes, it will be like times of the yesteryear! ANTON (thick Russian accent) Especially if the riches you promise are, in fact, reality. TIMEIST Yes, yes, riches, women, everything just as it was. The phone rings. The Timeist pulls it out of his pocket and checks the screen. He smiles. TIMEIST (CONTD) Excuse me, friends. A budding arch nemesis wishes to speak. Intercut: Michaels loft/Newberg National Building TIMEIST (CONTD) Yes? MICHAEL (V.O.) Hello, you bastard. TIMEIST Ahh, Mr. Townsend. I was afraid that you had given up. This is all part of the learning process, you know- you must work to save what is important to you, even if futile. MICHAEL (V.O.) Well, why dont you tell me what is important to you, so I can kidnap and threaten that also?

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TIMEIST (laughing) Ah, Mr. Townsend. You amuse me. Might I recommend not threatening those that hold precious life in their fingers. Michael looks to Ian, who motions for him to continue talking. MICHAEL (V.O.) What can I do to get Jessica back? TIMEIST Unfortunately for you, I have no plans to give her back, and I also have no plans to be traced back to this location soHe is interrupted by the DEAFENING RING of the Newberg clock directly above his head. TIMEIST (CONTD) Farewell, Mr. Townsend. He hangs up the phone. CUT TO: INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- SAME Michael looks to Ian, who shakes his head. MICHAEL Dammit! BRYCE What now? Do we have anything? IAN No, were basically screwed. Michael turns to look out the window, which shows a large part of the Newberg skyline. He spies the Newberg National Building in the distance. MICHAEL I think I know where they are. BRYCE Really?

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MICHAEL Where would a villain called The Timeist hide? BRYCE (muttering) Uh, time-out, timeshare, timezoneIAN Newberg National! MICHAEL Yep. I heard a clock chiming when I was on the phone just now. Its 5pm, which means that chiming was from the clocktower in the Newberg National building. Lets go! Michael strides toward the door. Ian and Bryce hesitate. Michael turns around. MICHAEL (CONTD) What? Come on, we need to go now! BRYCE I dont think we can do this alone. IAN Yeah, he destroyed us at City Hall today and now were going to his turf. We dont even have guns. MICHAEL What are you talking about? Hes a skinny old man. Theres three of us. We can do this together. What, should we call the police and tell them we helped that maniac rob the Reserve? IAN There is one other option, Mike. Michael stares for a moment, thinking deeply. MICHAEL Oh no. That little bastard is the reason all of this is happening in the first place. Theres no way Im asking him for help.

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BRYCE Can you think of another option? All The Timeist wants is an excuse to kill Jessica. You heard him, he wants to (Russian accent) crush your dreams. If you go in guns blazing, shes dead. We have to get help. Michael looks down at the picture of him and Jessica toasting champagne. MICHAEL (to Ian) You still have Gravitas wallet? EXT. JACK MILES HOME- EARLY EVENING A taxi pulls up and Bryce, Michael, and Ian get out. INT. JACKS BEDROOM- SAME Jack lies on his bed, listening to music. His mother enters She pats him on the shoulder. He JERKS instinctively. JACK Mom, what the hell? CYNTHIA Jackiepoo, you have visitors. EXT. JACK MILES HOME- MOMENTS LATER Jack walks out the front door and looks around. Michael, Bryce, and Ian sit scrunched together on a bench. Michael stands up. Jack stares blankly for a moment before realizing who they are. JACK Oh, shit. Youre the guys I caught stealing the Neutrality Sphere! He spins around to run into the house. MICHAEL Jack, wait. Were not here to hurt you. Jack stops and turns around, suspicious. His eyes dart from Michael to Ian to Bryce.

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JACK Oh yeah? So why are you here? MICHAEL Well, we need your help. JACK My help? Dont know if you realized, but Gravitas is retired. MICHAEL Yeah, we know, and were sorry about that. If wed have known what The Timeists true motives were, we never would have hired him. JACK What!? You hired that maniac! He almost killed me. I was literally five seconds from dying. I havent been able to sleep for two weeks because of that son of a bitch. And you hired him? BRYCE We screwed up. But you have to see it from our perspective- we were just getting our big break and you came and messed everything up. MICHAEL You were just trying to help Newberg, we get that. JACK A little late for apologies. MICHAEL Listen, I realize that nothing I say can ever change what we did, but...that monster kidnapped one of our friends. IAN And her dad, who happens to be the mayor. JACK What do you want from me? I quit. I dont even know if my powers still work.

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Michael pulls a pen out of his pocket and tosses it at Jack. Instinctively, Jack deflects it with a twitch of his finger. The pen shoots past Ians ear and lodges in a brick. IAN Woah! Again with the projectiles! MICHAEL Looks like youre not so out of shape after all. Jack flexes his arms and a huge grin spreads over his face. He tries to hide it. JACK So why should I help you? MICHAEL I realize you owe us nothing. We screwed you over and nothing we say can change that. But this is your chance to put that mask back on and save Newberg from someone much, much worse than us. BRYCE Plus, you were a pretty badass superhero. JACK Yeah, I was, wasnt I? MICHAEL What do you say? Michael stares at Jack, unblinking. Jack stares back. MICHAEL (CONTD) Please. JACK Alright, lets go save a damsel in distress. EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING- EARLY EVENING Jack, Michael, Bryce, and Ian enter the lobby of the Newberg National Building and walk towards a bank of elevators. MICHAEL Just like we discussed. Jack, you go straight for The Timeist. (MORE)

105. MICHAEL (CONT'D) Bryce and I will get Jessica, and Ian will get her dad.

They enter an elevator. Michael presses a button marked Roof. JACK And youre sure its just him? No henchmen to worry about? MICHAEL Nope, just him. CUT TO: EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING- MOMENTS LATER The elevator doors open onto a large and relatively empty roof. Fifty feet away, the clocktower rises high into the evening sky. Boris, Anton, and Andrei smoke cigarettes thirty feet away. They look up and begin to shout in Russian. JACK No henchmen my ass. Go! Ive got these guys. Bryce, Michael, and Ian curve around the roof as the henchmen approach Jack. Boris peels off and follows the three friends. JACK (CONTD) Alright, boys. Who wants to fly with the birdies? Ten feet away, Anton suddenly FALLS INTO THE SKY. His scream quickly becomes inaudible as he disappears into the night. Andrei looks up, terrified. JACK (CONTD) You next? Andrei pulls out an UZI and fires a TORRENT OF BULLETS at Jack. Jack DIVES out of the way while deflecting bullets. As he rolls on the ground, he launches Andrei into the clocktower, who makes contact with a sickening CRACK. Jack stands up and wipes his forehead. JACK (CONTD) Hey, The Timeist! Come out and face me! What kind of name is that anyway. Seriously. No wonder people dont take you seriously. Think Id be successful if I were called The Gravitas?

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TIMEIST (O.C.) Shut up, you insolent child. Jack spins around. The Timeist stands ten feet away, cane in hand. INT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING ROOF- SAME Bryce, Ian and Michael burst into the room beneath the clocktower. MICHAEL Jess! IAN Mayor Green! BRYCE Here! Michael and Ian rush to Bryce. Mayor Green lies on the floor, barely conscious. Suddenly, the door SLAMS open again. Boris stands in the doorway. BORIS Alright, which one of you would like to die first? BRYCE Ive got this, Mike. You find Jessica. Bryce puffs out his chest and SPRINTS towards Boris, knocking him back outside. MICHAEL Mr. Green. Are you alright? MAYOR GREEN Mike, is that you? What are you doing here? MICHAEL Were here to rescue you. Wheres Jess? Mayor Green points to the far corner of the room. Jessica lies sprawled out face down on the floor. Michael rushes over to her. MICHAEL (CONTD) Jess. Are you okay?

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He turns her over and his hopeful expression disappears. Jessicas face is riddled with wrinkles. MICHAEL (CONTD) Shit. Jessica opens her eyes. JESSICA Mike? Is that you? Michael struggles to hold back tears. MICHAEL Yeah, its me, Jess. Im here. What happened to you? JESSICA Tried...to escape...That timefucker didnt like that. Michael laughs as tears roll down his face. Jessica smiles. Michael leans over and kisses her. EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING ROOF- SAME Bryce punches Boris in the face. Blood spatters everywhere. Boris retaliates by KNEEING him in the crotch. Bryce doubles over in pain. Boris stands up and kicks Bryce in the stomach. Bryce winces but manages to GRAB BORISS FOOT and TWIST viciously. CUT TO: EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING ROOF- SAME The Timeist raises his cane and fires a harpoon at Jack, who barely manages to dive out of its path. JACK What is this? Moby Dick? Fight like a man! Jack glances up at a FLOCK OF PIGEONS on a cable above them. He tightens his fists and the pigeons ZOOM towards The Timeist, who covers his face. The flock clears to reveal The Timeist holding a decaying pigeon by the throat. TIMEIST An interesting trick.

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He aims at Jacks feet and the stone floor beneath Jack CRUMBLES. Jack dives out of the way as more of the floor deteriorates beneath him. He regains footing and sprints towards The Timeist as the ground falls away. He lunges forward, THROWING The Timeist to the floor. He FLINGS his fists forward savagely. The Timeist laughs as blood covers his face. He reaches up and grabs Jacks temples. Jack SCREAMS and falls away. JACK What the hell? Jack grabs his head with both hands. When he pulls them away, a clump of GREY HAIR rips out. CUT TO: EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING ROOF- SAME Boris stands up and pulls a knife out of an ankle holster. BORIS Lets see who is the tough guy now? He charges Bryce, who skillfully sidesteps him. Boris swerves around with a vicious left hook. His fist connects with Bryces jaw. Bryce spins around, dazed, and Boris is on him in a second. He immediately has Bryce in a sleeper hold. BORIS (CONTD) Time for sleepytime, big man. Bryce reaches into his pocket. He fumbles for something. BRYCE (gasping for air) If Im sleeping...then that must make this...a slumber party. Bryce pulls a cloth out of his pocket and presses it to Boriss face. Boris loosens his grip and instantly COLLAPSES. BRYCE (CONTD) (to Boris) Chloroforms a bitch, aint it. MICHAEL (O.C.) Hey! Bryce turns around. Michael, supporting Jessica, and Ian, holding onto Mr. Green, emerge from the clocktower.

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MICHAEL (CONTD) Wheres Jack? CUT TO: EXT. NEWBERG NATIONAL BUILDING- SAME Jack gasps for breath. Suddenly, a harpoon SLASHES through his shoulder, pinning him to the ground. He screams in pain. The Timeist approaches. TIMEIST This is what happens when you dont listen, Mr. Miles. For all your good intentions, you have failed to protect even yourself and now, you will die. Shame that the people of Newberg will not even recognize the face of their once-great savior after once you are dead. The Timeist reaches down towards Jacks face. As he closes in, Jack takes a deep breath and grabs The Timeists hands with his own. Grey hairs sprout on Jacks head instantly, but Jack holds on. He tightens his grip and his arms SURGE BLUE. The Timeist looks into his eyes- they too pulse deep blue. TIMEIST (CONTD) What? Whats happening? Jack flexes even harder. The Timeists hair stands on end and his jacket begins to RIP itself from his body. JACK Looks like your time...just ran out. With a final flex, Jack closes his eyes and The Timeists body EXPLODES in every direction. A thin red mist settles over the nearby roof. Jack collapses. The world comes in and out of focus. He passes out. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- TWO DAYS LATER Jack wakes up in Michaels bed. He bolts upright, no idea where he is. He stands up and exits the bedroom. INT. MICHAEL AND BRYCES LOFT- SAME Michael, Jessica, Bryce, and Ian sit on the couch. Jack enters.

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BRYCE There he is! The man of the hour. IAN How about we avoid any time-related references for a while? JACK Where am I? MICHAEL You are in the lair of the illustrious and elusive Fearsome Foursome, Newbergs greatest group of criminal masterminds. And you have been asleep for 40 hours. Come here, Ive got something for you. Jack sits down next to Michael, who pulls something out of his pocket: a wristwatch. JACK Is that... MICHAEL Yeah, you put the moves on old Timey pretty well. This was literally the biggest piece of him we could find. Its yours if you want it. Jack takes the watch and examines it closely. He drops it to the floor and STAMPS on it furiously. The glass shatters. JACK He doesnt deserve to be remembered. Beat. JESSICA We actually have an appointment in a bit. Mind if we give you a ride home? EXT. JACK MILES HOME- EARLY AFTERNOON A rental car pulls up to Jacks home. Jack gets out of the car and looks back through the open window. JACK So, is this it?

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MICHAEL Well, were master criminals and you are the superhero. JACK (smiling) Right, master criminals. BRYCE Hey, we totally are. Michael hands Jack a card. MICHAEL If you want to get in touch for any reason. And dont think about telling the police about this number- its untraceable. JACK Id never dream of it. Beat. JACK (CONTD) Well, thanks. From Gravitas too. MICHAEL No problem, Jack, er, Gravitas. Jessica clears her throat. MICHAEL (CONTD) Right, well, we have to get going, but who knows, maybe well meet again. Jack turns to leave, but pauses. JACK (grinning) Wait, what exactly is this appointment of yours? Michael smiles and Jessica hits the gas. The car skids away. Jack watches as it departs. Inside the car, Michael pulls out his dart gun and loads it. Ian distributes ski masks while Bryce douses a cloth in chloroform. JESSICA Everyone ready?

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Michael reaches over and grabs her hand. MICHAEL Lets do this. Bryce instinctively sniffs the cloth and promptly passes out in Ians lap. IAN Oh God, can we please drive faster? The car speeds towards Newberg. The End.